During a press briefing in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump responded to a query about a prospective agreement with Iran by suggesting that the United States might resort to force. He indicated that the choice lay between a military strike and a diplomatic settlement, adding that a resolution was imminent.
Trump phrased the options as "maybe you blow them up. You have to make that decision. We blow them up, we make a deal, but the time is coming," and concluded that the situation would end "very soon one way or the other." The comments were recorded by Middle East Eye, which reported the president's remarks verbatim.
The United States and Iran have a long‑standing rivalry, particularly over Tehran's nuclear programme. Diplomatic overtures have periodically surfaced, most notably the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, from which the United States withdrew in 2018. Since then, tensions have persisted, with periodic threats of escalation from both sides.
Trump's statements come amid ongoing uncertainty about the future of any nuclear framework and broader regional security. Analysts have noted that rhetoric of this nature can influence diplomatic calculations, though the president did not outline specific military plans or timelines.
The remarks were made in front of reporters gathered in the Oval Office, and no further details were provided regarding the criteria for choosing between a strike and a negotiated settlement. The United States has not announced any concrete steps following the comments, and the international community has awaited clarification on Washington's next move.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/trump-says-he-may-blow-iran.