Trump signals willingness to negotiate with Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday expressed a desire to reach a peace agreement with Iran, following a period of heightened tensions and military engagement earlier this year.
Speaking before Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, Trump said that despite recent conflict—including a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites—he believes a diplomatic resolution is still achievable.
“They got it from one side, from the other, and you know it would be great if we could make a peace deal with them,” Trump said. His comments referenced Iran’s military setbacks during the brief but intense conflict, which brought the region to the brink of broader war.
A history of strained relations
The relationship between the United States and Iran has long been tense, marked by decades of political mistrust, economic sanctions, and military posturing. Iran’s support for groups such as Hamas, which the U.S. and Israel consider terrorist organizations, has remained a major obstacle in any peace discussions.
Trump, however, appeared to extend an olive branch. “Would you be happy with that? Wouldn’t it be nice, I think. Because I think they want to,” he said, addressing Israeli lawmakers and suggesting that Iran may also be open to dialogue.
The U.S. stance: “We’re ready when you are”
During his remarks, President Trump made clear that the initiative for restarting talks would need to come from Tehran. “We’re ready when you are,” he said, placing the responsibility for renewed negotiations squarely on Iran’s leadership.
This statement signals a shift in tone from confrontation to cautious diplomacy. However, Trump also reiterated his administration’s tough stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and highlighted his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Defending the end of the nuclear deal
“I terminated the Iran nuclear deal and I was very proud to do it,” Trump stated, receiving applause from Israeli legislators. The deal, brokered under former President Barack Obama, aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Its termination was widely supported by the Israeli government but criticized by European allies and some American lawmakers.
Despite his criticism of the previous agreement, Trump emphasized that the U.S. remains open to a new framework—one that would ensure both regional stability and the prevention of nuclear proliferation.
A message of peace and cooperation
Trump’s speech also carried a broader message of hope and reconciliation, particularly aimed at the Iranian people. “Yet even to Iran, whose regime has inflicted so much death on the Middle East, the hand of friendship and cooperation is open,” he told the Knesset.
“Neither the United States nor Israel bear the people of Iran any hostility. We merely want to live in peace,” Trump concluded. The sentiment reflects a recurring theme in Trump’s foreign policy rhetoric—strong military action paired with the possibility of diplomatic engagement.
Outlook for future negotiations
As of now, there has been no official response from Iran to Trump’s latest remarks. However, analysts suggest that while the path to peace remains complicated, public statements like these could lay the groundwork for future negotiations.
With the region still reeling from recent conflicts and geopolitical shifts, the possibility of a U.S.-Iran peace deal—once considered far-fetched—may no longer be out of reach.
