Trump cautions Israeli strike against Iran could threaten nuclear talks
President Trump on Thursday indicated he did not want Israel targeting Iran as long as there was a possibility of striking a nuclear deal with Tehran amid reports that Israeli strikes could be looming.
'As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them going in because I think that would blow it. Might help it, actually. But also could blow it,' Trump said in response to a question about whether he had tried to talk Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu out of a strike.
'But we've had very good discussions with Iran,' Trump added. 'Whether or not we get there, I can't tell you. But it will happen soon.'
Trump acknowledged several weeks ago that he has warned Netanyahu against taking any actions that could threaten ongoing talks.
'Well, I'd like to be honest. Yes, I did. Next question, please?' Trump said when asked if he had warned Netanyahu against strikes on Iran at the time.
'It's not a warning,' Trump said. 'I said, 'I don't think it's appropriate.' I just said I don't think it's appropriate. We're having very good discussions with them, and I don't think it's appropriate right now.'
The threat of a strike by Israel, however, continues to loom. Trump administration officials said Wednesday it was downsizing its footprint in Iraq, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has greenlighted the departures of military dependents across northeast Africa, the Middle East, and portions of South and Central Asia.
The scaling back of the number of U.S. diplomats in the Middle East comes as negotiations between the Trump administration and Iran over a nuclear deal have stalled and as Israel signals it may carry out strikes on Tehran.
'Well, I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen,' Trump said Thursday when asked about a potential Israeli strike.
'Look, it's very simple. Not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful,' he added.
Trump administration officials are expected to meet in the coming day for another round of talks with Iran. The president in May had expressed optimism that a deal was close with Iran, but he has in recent days sounded a more pessimistic note and warned that Iran was getting 'more aggressive.'
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