Trump backs Israel, warns Iran after 60 days.
In an interview with news agency Reuters, former President Donald Trump revealed that he had attempted to delay an Israeli strike, offering Iran a 60-day window to pursue diplomatic solutions. Trump emphasized that he provided ample opportunity for Tehran to engage in meaningful dialogue and avoid escalation. “I gave Iran 60 days,” he said, underlining that his administration had been patient in hopes of peace. “And today was the 61st day,” he added, signaling that the deadline had expired and justifying his support for Israel’s actions in the current conflict.
Washington DC: President Trump Says “Not Concerned” About War After Israel Hits Iran, Urges Tehran to Return to Talks
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is “not concerned” about the possibility of a regional war breaking out in the Middle East, following Israel’s massive and unprecedented strikes on Iran’s military and nuclear sites. The Israeli offensive also resulted in the death of some of Iran’s top nuclear scientists and military commanders, escalating tensions in the already volatile region.
In an exclusive interview with news agency Reuters, President Trump disclosed that he had tried to delay Israel’s military action in order to give diplomacy a chance. “I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum. I told them very clearly – they had a window for peace, for dialogue. But today is the 61st day,” Trump stated, pointing out that the deadline he had quietly set for Iran had expired.
Despite the outbreak of violence, Trump maintained that he is still hopeful for renewed diplomatic engagement. He revealed that the United States plans to go ahead with nuclear talks with Iran scheduled for Sunday in Oman. However, he expressed skepticism about Tehran’s willingness to participate after the devastating Israeli strikes.
“Our envoy Steve Witkoff is ready to meet with the Iranian delegation on June 15,” Trump said, referring to the senior US diplomat and special envoy to the Middle East. “We’re proceeding with the plan, but after what just happened, I don’t know if Iran will even show up. But if they do, we’ll be ready.”
Trump reiterated that it is “not too late” for Iran to return to the negotiating table. He emphasized that his administration had shown restraint and repeatedly sought to avoid bloodshed. “We knew everything that was going to happen,” Trump said, referring to the Israeli operation. I would have loved to see a peaceful deal. I still believe it can happen.”
On Friday morning, President Trump confirmed that he had prior knowledge of Israel’s planned military strikes. He revealed that he convened his top national security team at Camp David on the night of June 8 for high-level discussions that included a detailed assessment of the Iran threat. The next day, he spoke directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Iran’s actions and Israel’s potential response.
When asked whether he had encouraged or approved the Israeli strikes, Trump avoided a direct answer but made it clear that the United States stood firmly with its ally. “We’ve been very close to Israel – we’re their number one ally by far,” he told Reuters, reinforcing America’s unwavering support for the Israeli government.
Following the Israeli assault, Iran launched a counteroffensive early Friday, firing around 100 drones toward Tel Aviv. According to the Israeli military, most of the drones were intercepted by air defense systems before they could reach Israeli territory. Still, the threat underscored the risk of further escalation and a potential broader war.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded forcefully, issuing a stern warning to Israel. In a televised address, he vowed that Israel would face a “bitter and painful” fate for its aggression. Iran will not remain silent,” Khamenei said.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump took a more aggressive tone, posting shortly after the Israeli attack that “Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen. The post sparked immediate reactions from political analysts and observers, many of whom noted the harsh rhetoric and potential implications for US-Iran relations.
Still, Trump maintained a tone of guarded optimism in his Reuters interview, repeating his long-held belief that Iran could benefit from a new nuclear deal. “They can still work out a deal – it’s not too late. But they need to come forward in good faith,” he said.
He also defended his administration’s handling of the situation, arguing that it had always been his intention to avoid war. “I didn’t want this. I tried to delay everything. But Iran didn’t respond. They didn’t take the off-ramps we gave them.”
The White House has remained largely silent about the details of Israel’s operations, with National Security Council officials declining to comment on intelligence coordination between the two allies. However, it is widely understood that the United States provided logistical support and early warning systems to assist Israel in its strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
With Iran now vowing retaliation and the region teetering on the brink of wider conflict, global powers have urged restraint. The European Union, China, and Russia have all called for calm and warned against further military action.
Back in Washington, President Trump is walking a fine line between strong support for Israel and keeping diplomatic doors open with Iran. “We’ll see what happens,” he said when asked about Iran’s next move. “But I’ll tell you this – if they want peace, if they want prosperity, they know what they have to do. Make a deal before it’s too late.”
The next steps taken by both Iran and the United States may determine whether the crisis spirals into full-scale war—or shifts back toward fragile diplomacy.