NEW DELHI: On Friday, US President Donald Trump delivered a sharply worded caution to Iran following Israeli aerial bombardments that reportedly damaged Tehran’s strategic nuclear and defense assets.
President Trump hailed the military operation, stating, “It was a tremendous effort… They were struck hard. Very hard. About as hard as possible. And more is on the way. A lot more.”
He also ridiculed Iranian leadership through his social platform, Truth Social. “Some of Iran’s extremist figures talked tough, but they had no clue what was approaching,” he wrote. “Now, they’re all GONE, and what lies ahead will be even worse!”
In a phone interview with a TV channel, Trump reiterated the sentiment: “The individuals I was contending with are no longer alive, the hardliners.” When asked if their deaths were linked to Israel’s strike, he remarked, “They didn’t pass from the flu; they didn’t succumb to Covid.”
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Trump reaffirmed his unwavering alignment with Israel, describing the mission as a “triumph,” adding, “Naturally, we stand behind Israel—stronger than anyone ever has.”
On his social platform, Trump referenced his earlier efforts to strike a nuclear accord with Iran, blaming Iranian leadership for squandering repeated chances. “I extended opportunity after opportunity for a deal. I urged them emphatically to take it. They tried, they nearly succeeded, but couldn’t follow through,” Trump posted.
Still, he hinted at potential diplomacy, presenting Tehran with another opportunity.
“There has already been immense loss and devastation, but there’s still a window to halt this bloodshed—before the next, more punishing wave begins,” he declared, urging Iran to “agree to terms, before everything is reduced to rubble.”
According to two individuals aware of the discussions, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff maintained dialogue with Omani intermediaries overnight to salvage what remains of the process. However, both acknowledged the probability of resuming talks is now “extremely slim.”
Oman has thus far played a pivotal role in facilitating indirect exchanges between Washington and Tehran. Nonetheless, substantial disputes remain unresolved—chiefly Iran’s demand to retain its uranium enrichment program. Earlier this week, Trump expressed waning confidence in the possibility of a resolution, suggesting Iran might be delaying deliberately.
Despite his skepticism, Trump had on Thursday described the deal as “nearly finalized,” cautioning that an Israeli incursion could derail everything.
“As long as there’s hope for an agreement, I prefer they hold off,” he remarked to journalists.
But Trump also acknowledged that conflict still loomed. When asked at the White House if a strike on Iran was imminent, he said, “I wouldn’t call it imminent, but it’s certainly a possibility.”
That same day, Washington began withdrawing non-essential diplomatic personnel from Iran. Trump explained the directive by saying the area “could become perilous.” He added, “Let’s see how it unfolds. We’ve ordered them out, and we’ll take it from there.”
When questioned whether Israeli officials had advised him to evacuate US personnel, Trump said, “They didn’t tell me anything.”
Yet by Friday, his tone had shifted. In an interview with a TV channel, Trump claimed he had been briefed on Israel’s military intentions ahead of the assault. “I knew about it. Nothing caught me off guard,” he said.
Contradicting this, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement Thursday evening asserting, “Tonight, Israel independently launched action against Iran. The United States had no role in the offensive, and our primary concern remains the safety of American service members in the region.”
