Trump threatens military action against Iran as critical nuclear talks begin in Oman
US-Iran nuclear talks begin with looming threat of military strikes if deal isn't reached within 60 days
The United States and Iran have begun high-stakes nuclear negotiations today in Oman, and the situation couldn't be more tense. President Trump has issued what amounts to a two-month ultimatum for Iran to accept a deal that would significantly restrict or eliminate its nuclear program – or face potential military action.
"If it requires military, we're going to have military," Trump declared Wednesday, sending shockwaves through diplomatic circles. The casual nature of the threat, delivered while aboard Air Force One, has alarmed experts who see troubling parallels to the lead-up to previous Middle Eastern conflicts.
Even more surprising was Trump's statement that Israel "will obviously be very much involved" and would "be the leader" in any military action against Iran. This revelation appeared to catch Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu off guard, as footage of the joint press conference shows his visible discomfort when Trump made the announcement.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Iran has responded with its own warning, stating that any attack would drag the United States into a broader Middle Eastern conflict – a scenario that would have devastating global consequences.
"We cannot imagine President Trump wanting to become another US president mired in a catastrophic war in the Middle East," wrote Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a Washington Post article this week, adding that such a conflict would "quickly extend across the region."
The talks in Oman represent the first potential direct engagement between Iranian and American officials in a decade, though Iran insists the negotiations will be conducted through mediators. These negotiations follow a period in which Iran has seen its regional power significantly weakened by Israeli strikes on its proxies, regime change in Syria, and unprecedented attacks within its own borders.
Trump administration officials claim they want a "stronger" agreement than the 2015 nuclear deal that Trump withdrew from in 2018. However, details remain vague about what exactly such a deal would entail. US officials have hinted they may push Iran to fully dismantle its nuclear program, including its civilian energy component – a demand Iranian officials have already dismissed as a non-starter.
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation is the involvement of Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who participated in a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin just one day before these critical Iran talks.
While Trump has been explicitly threatening military action, other administration officials have attempted to strike a more diplomatic tone. Witkoff recently emphasized that a peaceful solution is within reach, though he was careful to note: "This is not a threat. It's the president who has that authority."
The contradictory messaging from different administration officials has created confusion about the United States' actual position as these talks begin. What's clear is that the clock is now ticking on a 60-day deadline set by Trump himself.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has indicated that Israel might strike Iran regardless of how the nuclear talks progress, stating that if negotiations drag on, Israel may take unilateral action against Iranian nuclear facilities.
As the world watches these precarious negotiations unfold in Oman, the possibility of a new major conflict in the Middle East looms larger than at any point in recent years. The next two months may determine whether diplomacy prevails or whether the region faces yet another devastating war.
