US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington is holding talks with Iran even as military tensions continue to rise. Speaking at the Oval Office, Trump said his administration is considering two options. It can intensify military action or reach a diplomatic agreement with Tehran.
His remarks came after the US carried out its 13th straight night of strikes on Iranian targets.
Trump Lists Two Possible Paths
When reporters asked about his exit strategy, Trump said the US has several options. He said military action remains one option, while diplomacy is another.
“I think there’s a lot of them,” Trump said. “There’s a military exit where we just keep going just the way we are, and we can even make it a heavier dose, and it’s knocking out everything. Or there’s a smarter strategy, and that’s you make a deal, and they want to make a deal. I just don’t think they’re ready yet, but they do want to make a deal,” he added.
US Continues Talks With Iran
Trump said the US is keeping military pressure on Iran while also holding negotiations. “You can just keep doing exactly what we’re doing, and take them apart piece by piece. We could do it at a more rapid fashion, which we might do – or we can negotiate with them, which we’re also doing right now,” he said.
He added, “We are talking to them.”
No Final Decision on Bigger Strikes
Trump said he has not decided whether to launch larger military strikes. “No, I haven’t. We’re talking to them right now. I think they’re getting more and more serious as the days go by… I consider that the smarter way, but the other’s probably the easier way, doing what we’re doing–and we can take that to a much higher level if we want to. We’re prepared to do that, as you know. We’re locked and loaded,” he said.
Entire Administration Involved
Trump said several officials are involved in the talks. He made the remark after being asked whether Jared Kushner or Steve Witkoff was leading the negotiations.
“Sort of everybody… It’s a big deal,” Trump said.
Trump Says He Is Not Rushing
Trump rejected claims that he is rushing either military or diplomatic decisions.
“We are talking right now, and we’ll see what comes of it… Despite what everyone says about the election, I’m not in a hurry,” Trump averred. He added, “We have to do it right.”
War Powers Resolution Adds Pressure
Trump made these remarks a day after the US House of Representatives passed the war powers resolution for the second time. The resolution seeks to limit the president's authority to expand military action against Iran.
The move comes as the administration weighs military pressure against diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.