Beneath a self-imposed deadline to pursue diplomacy with Iran and with no direct negotiations with the U.S. on the horizon, President Donald Trump acknowledged on Friday that the situation within the Center East gave the impression to be deadlocked — however mentioned he would nonetheless give the Iranians an opportunity to “come to their senses.”
“I am giving them a time period, and I might say two weeks could be the utmost,” the president mentioned.
President Donald Trump speaks to the press upon arrival at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, June 20, 2025.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Earlier within the day, Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi wrapped up talks with a number of of his European counterparts in Geneva, however reiterated Iran’s demand that Israel cease assaults on the nation earlier than it might be prepared to significantly pursue any negotiations.
Requested whether or not he would ask the Israelis to carry again, Trump mentioned it was “very laborious to make that request proper now.”
“If somebody is profitable, it is just a little bit tougher to do than if somebody is dropping,” he mentioned. “However we’re prepared, prepared and ready and have been talking to Iran and we’ll see what occurs.”
President Donald Trump speaks to the press upon arrival at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, June 20, 2025.
Mandel Ngan/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
The president additionally dismissed the talks held in Europe, enjoying down the already low expectations for a breakthrough.
“They did not assist,” Trump mentioned of the discussions. “Iran does not wish to communicate to Europe. They wish to communicate to us. Europe just isn’t going to have the ability to assist on this one.”
However regardless of the president’s declare, Iran has thus far rebuffed a standing provide from the usto resume nuclear negotiations.
Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 59th session of the Human Rights Council on the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, June 20, 2025.
Martial Trezzini/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Some administration officers have argued that the president’s posture is setting the stage for Iran to finally cave—betting that the regime will bend below common Israeli bombardment and finally again off from key calls for on enriching uranium below a brand new nuclear cope with the U.S.
In addition they see Iran’s management as scrambled by the assault from Israel and predict it would take a number of days earlier than it’s logistically potential to convene a significant spherical of negotiations with the U.S.
In the meantime, as sharp variations between Israeli and American assessments on Iran’s nuclear talents have come to the forefront, Trump has additionally showcased mistrust for his personal intelligence neighborhood, together with his personal director of nationwide intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.
Director of Nationwide Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard leaves U.S. Capitol after a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee listening to on June. 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Mariam Zuhaib/AP
On Friday, Trump was requested about Gabbard’s testimony to Congress in March that the U.S. assessed that Iran was not constructing a nuclear weapon.
“She’s mistaken,” Trump mentioned flatly.
Shortly after Trump spoke, Gabbard criticized the information media, posting on X, “America has intelligence that Iran is on the level that it will probably produce a nuclear weapon inside weeks to months, in the event that they resolve to finalize the meeting. President Trump has been clear that may’t occur, and I agree.”
The president’s determination to carry again on hitting Iran has annoyed Israeli officers, who’ve been privately pushing their case for U.S. navy involvement for months, in response to officers conversant in the matter.
On the United Nations Safety Council on Friday, Israel’s everlasting consultant to the physique Danny Danon insisted his nation may go it alone.
“This is not simply Israel’s combat, it’s the world’s combat. And if nobody else will combat it, we’ll,” he declared.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the positioning of the Weizmann Institute of Science, which was hit by an Iranian missile barrage, within the central metropolis of Rehovot, June 20, 2025.
Jack Guez/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
However as Trump ponders navy motion and its potential penalties, analysts say giving Iran additional time might include its personal dangers.
“Iran may use the talks merely to purchase time within the battle or, at worst, to shift round its nuclear materials and dash to a bomb, though it might presumably be troublesome to completely develop a nuclear weapons functionality amid an ongoing battle,” mentioned Heather Williams, the director of the Venture on Nuclear Points and a senior fellow within the Protection and Safety Division on the Middle for Strategic and Worldwide Research.
Already, the safety of tens of 1000’s of Individuals within the Center East is already in peril.
Based on the State Division, it has now offered “info and assist” to over 25,000 individuals in search of steerage concerning the safety scenario in Israel, the West Financial institution and Iran.
The division is planning authorities evacuations for U.S. residents in Israel however has warned it doesn’t anticipate providing direct help to Individuals in Iran.
