Netanyahu 'skeptical' as Trump doubles down on Iran diplomacy
President Trump says he’d prefer a deal but warns of "traumatic” consequences for Iran if diplomacy fails.
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WASHINGTON — If judging only by their public statements, it’s unclear whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured the assurances he sought from President Donald Trump during his last-minute trip to Washington.
Trump took to Truth Social shortly after their 2.5-hour Oval Office meeting on Wednesday to make clear his preference for a diplomatic deal with Iran over military action, saying he “insisted that negotiations with Iran continue.” Trump’s post did not include any explicit commitment that an agreement would address Iran’s missile program or its proxy groups.
He doubled down Thursday, telling reporters "it's going to be very traumatic” for Iran if diplomacy fails. Trump added that he hopes a deal is reached “over the next month.”
