Trump prefers talks with Iran rather than Israeli bombing

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his preference for negotiating a deal with Iran over taking military action.

In an interview with The New York Post aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasised that he would rather reach an agreement focused on non-nuclear issues than resort to military strikes.

"I would like a deal done with Iran on non-nuclear. I would prefer that to bombing the hell out of it," was reported saying.

However, Trump declined to reveal specific details regarding the potential talks with Iran, citing the sensitive nature of the matter. When asked what he might offer Iran in exchange for a deal, he replied, "I can’t say that because it’s too nasty. I won’t bomb them."

On Feb 5, Trump reiterated his stance on pursuing a peaceful resolution, saying that he would prefer a "verified nuclear peace agreement" with Iran. This agreement, he suggested, would allow Iran to develop peacefully while ensuring nuclear non-proliferation, emphasizing that efforts to negotiate should begin immediately.

The discussion comes after the United States' withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) under Trump's administration. The JCPOA, signed by the U.S., UK, Germany, France, Russia, China, and Iran, initially lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for strict limitations on Tehran's nuclear program.

However, following the U.S. exit from the deal in May 2018, sanctions were re-imposed on Iran, prompting Tehran to reduce its compliance with the agreement, particularly in terms of nuclear research and uranium enrichment levels.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for increasing pressure on Iran due to concerns over Tehran's alleged ambitions to develop nuclear weapons. – February 9, 2025