President Trump proclaimed a significant victory over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, asserting that collaborative efforts by the United States and Israel have effectively removed a “cancer.” He suggested that Iran is now hesitant to enter into negotiations, fearing repercussions.
“Our task was to eliminate the cancer,” Trump stated at the National Republican Congressional Committee meeting on Wednesday. “The threat was Iran possessing a nuclear weapon. We’ve eliminated it, and now we’re determined to conclude this chapter.”
These assertive comments surfaced shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Iran lacks the capability to enrich uranium, pledging to reduce Tehran’s nuclear initiative to “dust.”
Trump emphasized that the US was compelled to confront Iran, asserting that military actions are significantly weakening the adversary. He added that, despite Tehran’s public rejection of cease-fire proposals, there is a discreet desire to negotiate.
“Our victories are unprecedented. What we’re accomplishing in the Middle East with Iran is remarkable,” he commented.
“They are indeed negotiating, albeit covertly, eager to broker a deal but hesitant to admit it. They fear retribution from both their own citizens and from us,” he explained.
Trump had told aides he wants the conflict to end in the coming weeks, according to the Wall Street Journal. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US military is “ahead of schedule.” The Pentagon set an initial timeline of four to six weeks.
Leavitt also warned Iran would be “hit harder than they have ever been hit before” if its leadership failed to recognize it had been defeated militarily.
“President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again,” she warned.
“Their last miscalculation cost them their senior leadership, their navy, their air force and their air defense system.”
Tehran has vowed that it has no intentions of negotiating with the US and Israel.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state media that “there are no negotiations underway,” as reported by NBC News.
“No negotiations have happened with the enemy until now, and we do not plan on any negotiations,” Araghchi said.
Araghchi claimed Washington had “sent various messages through friendly countries.”
“The fact that messages are sent and we respond with warnings or state our positions does not constitute negotiation or dialogue; it is an exchange of messages,” he added.
Efforts are being made for talks between Iran and the US to be held in Pakistan Friday – but Tehran is skeptical.
Officials within the Islamic Republic have told countries trying to mediate peace talks that “we don’t want to be fooled again,” after claiming Trump had tricked them twice, a source close to discussions told Axios.
Israel launched attacks on Iran last June, just days before planned nuclear talks.
The US and Israel launched the current operation against the tyrannical regime just days after American and Iranian negotiators had agreed to continue talking.
Tehran fears any US cease-fire negotiations could be a trap to assassinate one of the regime’s last surviving leaders, according to the Journal.
Meanwhile, American forces continue to be deployed to the Middle East – despite talks of negotiations.
At least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division will be deployed in the coming days, three sources with knowledge of the plans told the Associated Press.
Around 5,000 more Marines are also being deployed to the region, and thousands of sailors.
Mohsen Rezaie, an ex-commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Tehran is “waiting” for American troops amid the mass deployment reports.
“When they haven’t gotten any results from their air force, which is their strong point; what do they expect from ground action?” he wrote on X.
“Do American soldiers want to die for Israel? We’re waiting.”
With Post wires
