Trump Threatens Severe Consequences If Iran Nuclear Deal Fails

[Mudhab]

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of "very traumatic" consequences if it refuses to reach a new nuclear agreement with Washington. Speaking in Washington a day after hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump expressed hope that negotiations with Tehran could produce results within the next month. He stressed that while he prefers a diplomatic solution, failure to reach a deal would lead to serious repercussions for Iran.

Trump emphasized that the United States is determined to secure an agreement regarding Iran's nuclear program. According to him, avoiding conflict depends on Tehran's willingness to cooperate. He reiterated that if diplomacy fails, the United States may move to what he described as "phase two," which he warned would be much tougher for Iran. His comments reflected a blend of pressure and optimism about the ongoing talks.

The US president also referenced past military actions, recalling strikes he ordered on Iranian nuclear facilities during Israel's 12-day conflict with Iran in July of the previous year. Additionally, Trump is reportedly considering deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East as a show of strength. These measures appear aimed at increasing leverage in negotiations while signaling that military options remain on the table.

Netanyahu, who traveled to Washington to encourage a firmer American stance, particularly regarding Iran's ballistic missile program, expressed caution about the direction of the talks. Although he acknowledged Trump's belief that current conditions might lead to a strong agreement, the Israeli leader openly admitted his skepticism about the quality of any potential deal.

The Israeli prime minister insisted that any agreement must go beyond nuclear restrictions. From Israel's perspective, it should also address Iran's ballistic missile arsenal and its support for armed groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Yemen's Houthi rebels. Netanyahu stressed that the broader security concerns of Israel cannot be separated from the nuclear issue alone.

Despite their differences over negotiation strategy, Trump demonstrated strong personal backing for Netanyahu. He criticized Israeli President Isaac Herzog for declining to pardon the prime minister over corruption charges. Trump described the refusal as disappointing, reinforcing his continued political and personal support for the Israeli leader.

Meanwhile, diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran recently resumed with talks in Oman. Previous negotiations were disrupted by armed conflict and US strikes. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and denies pursuing nuclear weapons. Tehran has also rejected expanding the scope of discussions beyond nuclear matters, stating that it will not accept what it considers excessive demands.

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