Trump says he wants a deal with Tehran, denies US and Israel planning strike on Iran

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he signs an executive order to create a US sovereign wealth fund, in the Oval Office of the White House on February 3, 2025, Washington, DC. (Jim Watson / AFP)
US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he signs an executive order to create a US sovereign wealth fund, in the Oval Office of the White House on February 3, 2025, Washington, DC. (Jim Watson / AFP)

US President Donald Trump denies reports that the US and Israel will carry out a military strike on Iran, saying he wants to make a deal with Tehran.

“I want Iran to be a great and successful Country, but one that cannot have a Nuclear Weapon. Reports that the United States, working in conjunction with Israel, is going to blow Iran into smithereens, ARE GREATLY EXAGGERATED,” Trump writes, apparently in the middle of the night, on his Truth Social platform. It is unclear which reports he is referring to.

“I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper,” he writes. “We should start working on it immediately, and have a big Middle East Celebration when it is signed and completed. God Bless the Middle East!”

Yesterday, Trump restored his “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran, including efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero, in order to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

The move brings back the tough US policy on Iran that Trump implemented throughout his first term.  Iran said earlier today that the policy “will turn into another failure.”

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