US President Donald Trump says, “We have to make a deal with Iran, otherwise it’s going to be very traumatic, very traumatic.”
“I don’t want that to happen, but we have to make a deal,” Trump tells reporters in the White House when asked whether his thinking on Iran has changed following his meeting yesterday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“They should have made a deal the first time. They got Midnight Hammer instead,” Trump reiterates, referring to the June 2025 US strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, which came in the middle of negotiations with Tehran.
“We had a very good meeting yesterday with Bibi Netanyahu, and he understands. But it’s ultimately up to me,” Trump says.
“If the deal isn’t a very fair deal and a very good deal with Iran, it’s going to be a very difficult time for them,” he adds.
A reporter appears to ask about a timeline for Iran to make a deal, and Trump responds, “I guess over the next month.”
“They should agree very quickly,” he adds.
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 12, 2026
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