Trump says ‘it's very hard' to ask Israel to halt strikes on Iran, dismisses Europe's mediation efforts
US President Donald Trump said Friday that it's difficult to persuade Israel to end its assault on Iran. 'It's very hard to make that request right now. If somebody is winning, it's a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing,' Trump was quoted as saying by The New York Times.
'But we're ready, willing and able, and we've been speaking to Iran, and we'll see what happens,' he added. The US President further said that applying pressure on Israel to stop its drone and missile strikes was unrealistic.
'Israel is doing well in terms of war, and I think you would have to say Iran is doing less well… It's a little hard to get someone to stop.'
Trump also dismissed European diplomatic efforts to mediate the conflict.
'Iran didn't want to speak to Europe, they want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this one,' he said.
According to Reuters, when asked if he would support a ceasefire while negotiations are ongoing, Trump said:
'I might, depending on the circumstances.'
Asked about the possibility of deploying US ground forces, Trump responded:
'Well, I'm not going to talk about ground forces, because the last thing you want to do is ground forces.'
Meanwhile, in Geneva, the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany met with Iran's foreign minister for three hours. The European ministers urged Iran to return to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme, but the session ended with little sign of progress.
The Israel-Iran aerial exchanges entered their ninth day. Israel launched strikes targeting Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory.
According to Iran-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 639 people have been killed in Iran. Israel has reported 24 civilian deaths from Iranian strikes.
Trump and the White House have said a decision on possible direct US involvement in the conflict will be made within two weeks.
(With inputs from The New York Times, Reuters)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
23 minutes ago
- United News of India
President Putin weighs in on Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Iran wars, clarifies Moscow's stance
Moscow, June 21 (UNI) Weighing in on the Russia-Ukraine war, and the ongoing Israel-Iran war, Russian President Vladmir Putin highlighted their key aspects, and clarified Moscow's stance on both of them, in an interview with Sky News Arabia. Speaking on the Ukraine war, Putin claimed that external powers are actively blocking a peaceful resolution, accusing them of using Ukraine as a proxy to serve their own strategic goals. 'Ukraine deserves a better fate than to be a tool in the hands of external parties working against Russia,' he said, calling for a settlement that would ensure Ukraine's neutrality and end its pursuit of alliances, particularly military blocs. He insisted that Ukraine must renounce any ambitions related to nuclear weapons, describing it as a critical step toward regional stability. Putin also maintained that any lasting agreement must include recognition of the referendums held in four regions now claimed by Russia, warning that dismissing these results could reignite full-scale conflict. He pointed to the 2022 Istanbul talks as a missed opportunity, suggesting both sides had come close to a deal before it was derailed. Ukraine's current leadership, he said, should act in the country's own national interest rather than following the agenda of outside actors. Resolving outstanding humanitarian issues, he added, must be a key part of any future settlement. On the intensifying standoff between Israel and Iran, Putin reaffirmed Moscow's support for Tehran's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, adding that Russia stands ready to provide technical support. While acknowledging that differences remain, particularly over Iran's nuclear programme, he said there is still space for agreement if both sides show flexibility. He stressed that the International Atomic Energy Agency had found no evidence that Iran possesses or is attempting to develop nuclear weapons. Putin reiterated Russia's long-standing opposition to the spread of weapons of mass destruction and welcomed Iran's adoption of a resolution banning the use of nuclear arms, calling it a move worthy of serious international recognition. He added that Moscow had repeatedly assured Israeli leaders that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, urging open dialogue to ease tensions and strengthen regional security. UNI ANV RN
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Giving them two weeks': Donald Trump's timeless countdown returns; this time with Iran
US President Donald Trump is expected to decide within the next two weeks whether to launch a military strike on Iran, according to the White House, a familiar timeline Trump has leaned on since his first term in office. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' she said in a statement issued through White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday. Later on Saturday Trump again reiterated his 'two-week' timeline: "I'm giving them (Iran) a period of time- and I would say two weeks would be the maximum." Two-week a similar troupe Trump has pledged to make announcements or decisions 'in two weeks' more than a dozen times over the past two months, according to an NBC News analysis, a pattern that mirrors his tendency during his earlier presidency. Asked eight weeks ago if he could trust Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump replied, 'I'll let you know in about two weeks.' During his first term, Trump frequently invoked the 'two weeks' timeline for a range of major promises, from tax reform and health care policy to infrastructure plans and the fight against ISIS. Many of these proposals, including claims related to conspiracy theories and coal mine reopenings, were repeatedly touted as imminent but ultimately failed to materialize. Trump's repeated use of the 'two weeks' promise has surged in recent weeks, applied to everything from trade negotiations and tariff decisions to the Russia-Ukraine war. Yet, many of these pronouncements have failed to materialize. The phrase 'two weeks' under Trump has become less a literal timeframe and more a rhetorical device, a vague, elastic placeholder that can mean anything or nothing at all, to signal action while delivering delay. In Trump's lexicon, 'two weeks' doesn't measure time; it simply means 'later'. Will the United States bomb Iran? It's unclear. Will we get a definitive answer in the next two weeks? That's just as uncertain.
India.com
30 minutes ago
- India.com
If World War 3 breaks out THESE countries will be safest because...; Russia, Ukraine at most risk, India, Pakistan are ...
World's safest countries in a World War 3 scenario. (File/Representational) World's safest countries: Besides numerous small conflicts, and the unending tensions between India and Pakistan, there are two major wars currently raging in the world– the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Israel-Iran war– both of which threaten to boil over into a wider conflict that could trigger World War 3, engulfing the entire globe in a catastrophic war. But will be there still be any safe havens left when a global war breaks out and the bombs start falling? Well, according to the recently released 'Global Peace Index' 2025 report, these 10 countries will be the safest in a World War 3 scenario. As per the report, countries with lowest corruption, flexible resources and a well-functioning administrative structure, are the safest countries in the world. Iceland, which has topped the Global Peace Index list since 2008, retains its spot as world's safest country, followed by Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, and Switzerland. Here are the 10 safest countries in the world, as per the Global Peace Index 2025: Iceland (Europe) Ireland (Europe) New Zealand (Oceania) Austria (Europe) Switzerland (Europe) Singapore (Asia) Portugal (Europe) Denmark (Europe) Slovenia (Europe) Finland (Europe) Interestingly, eight of the 10 safest countries on the list are European nations, while Singapore is the sole Asian country considered safe enough to make the list. Which countries are the most unsafe? Now, let take a look at the flip side of the coin and find out which countries are considered the most unsafe on the planet and face the most risk if World War 3 erupts. According to the global peace index, Russia and Ukraine, which have been embroiled in a bloody war since February 2022, are the most unsafe countries in the world, and are at the most risk if a global war breaks out. They are followed Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, two African nations torn apart by years of civil war and violence. Here are the 10 most unsafe countries in the world, according to the index. Russia (Europe/Asia) Ukraine (Europe) Sudan (Africa) Democratic Republic of Congo (Africa) Yemen (West Asia) Afghanistan (Asia) Syria (West Asia) South Sudan (Africa) Israel (West Asia) Mali (Africa) What about India and Pakistan? India and Pakistan, bitter enemies since 1947, who came to the brink of a major war last month following the barbaric Pahalgam terror attack, are ranked 115th and 144th, respectively, on the Global Peace Index 2025. India's rank remains unchanged from last year, while Pakistan has jumped one spot from last year's 145. Islamabad is followed by its new 'friend', Turkey, which is ranked 146th on the list.
