Israel could ‘lead’ strikes against Iran if nuclear talks fail, says US President Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his threat to use military force if the nuclear talks with Iran, which are set to begin this Saturday, fail. In that case, Israel would take a leading role, he added.

“If it requires military, we’re going to have military. Israel will obviously be very much involved in that – it’ll be the leader of that,” he said.

The comment made to reporters in the Oval Office is the first time he threatened Iran with Israeli strikes. However, he quickly added, “Nobody leads us. We do what we want to do.”

BREAKING 🔴

Trump on Iran: If military action is needed, we’ll take it — and Israel will be involved. pic.twitter.com/hmR0F268IV

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 9, 2025

The summit planned on Saturday in the Sultanate of Oman will be the start of a process, Trump said while cautioning, “We have a little time, but we don’t have much time because we’re not going to let them have a nuclear weapon.”

“We’re going to let them thrive. I want them to thrive. I want Iran to be great. The only thing they can’t have is a nuclear weapon. They understand that.”

NEW: President Trump says he is "absolutely" considering military action on Iran if they do not agree to a deal. pic.twitter.com/FUjuqkFL6F

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) April 9, 2025

While Iran has agreed to talks, there remains confusion on whether they will be direct, as Trump has announced, or indirect.

“We won’t be played for fools,” a Trump administration official told the Washington Post. The U.S. is reportedly insisting that the discussions be held in a face-to-face meeting between the delegations headed by White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Witkoff would even be willing to travel to the Iranian capital, Tehran, to advance the negotiations, according to the Post.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned home after he met with Trump. On Wednesday evening, he briefed the Cabinet about his recent visits to Washington and Budapest, emphasizing that he remains closely coordinated with the Trump administration.

A senior official told Israeli media outlets that Netanyahu also stressed that, contrary to some reports, he had been made aware of the U.S.-Iran talks before his visit.

An Israeli source familiar with the details of the Trump-Netanyahu meeting told Israel Hayom that the administration is committed to the total dismantling of the Iranian nuclear infrastructure, assuaging fears that the Trump administration could agree to a diplomatic solution that would leave Iran with a civilian nuclear program.

The source added that Israel would closely monitor the nuclear talks, emphasizing that Trump and Netanyahu are in close alignment on the issues and that Israel appreciates being kept in the loop.

“There are lessons to be learned here from what happened in the affair of the talks that Adam Buehler held with Hamas, and then the administration did not inform Israel,” a political source said.

When asked about concerns that Iran might be playing for time and trying to delay the talks, an American source told Israel Hayom, “The Iranians will be Iranians, and Trump will be Trump, and I have full confidence in the president.”