Trump says military action on Iran ‘absolutely’ possible if nuclear talks fail

Tensions escalate ahead of Oman talks as Washington signals readiness for force

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US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said military action against Iran remained “absolutely” on the table if Tehran refuses to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.

Speaking ahead of anticipated nuclear talks in Oman this weekend, Trump stressed that while diplomacy is the goal, the United States is prepared to act if required. He noted that Israel would play a “leading” role in any potential strike.

“If it requires military, we’re going to have military,” Trump told reporters. “Israel will obviously be very much involved in that. They’ll be the leader of that. But nobody leads us—we do what we want to do.”

The US Treasury on Wednesday announced fresh sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including five entities and one individual linked to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Tehran is not seeking a nuclear bomb. In a notable shift in tone, he also invited American investment into the Islamic Republic, saying there is no opposition from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to such engagement.

“American investors: Come and invest,” Pezeshkian said in a televised address.

Trump’s comments follow earlier remarks suggesting the planned talks may not be progressing well. The US has described the Oman meeting as a direct engagement, while Iran insists the talks will be indirect.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the talks but warned that any deal must prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He pointed to Libya’s disarmament in 2003 as a possible model.

“I think that would be a good thing,” Netanyahu said. “But whatever happens, we have to make sure that Iran does not have nuclear weapons.”

Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, calling it “the worst deal ever”. Subsequent efforts to restore the agreement, including under President Joe Biden, failed to produce results.