Donald Trump has delivered another message to Iran in light of the escalating conflict with Israel, where missile exchanges have persisted for several days.
The situation between Israel and Iran has intensified, with both sides launching missile attacks over the past week.
The conflict was triggered by Israel’s unexpected bombing of Iran’s nuclear and military bases, prompting Iran to launch retaliatory attacks on Tel Aviv just hours afterward.
In response to Iran’s counterattack, Trump used Truth Social on Monday (June 16) to assert that Iran should agree to a new nuclear deal, or face consequences.
The former president has consistently advocated for a nuclear agreement involving the P5+1 nations, comprising the US, UK, Germany, France, China, and Russia, which have been negotiating with Iran on its nuclear program since 2006.
In his latest post regarding the issue, Trump warned Iran: “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.
“I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”
This situation coincided with this year’s G7 meeting in Canada, which Trump left prematurely to return to Washington, D.C.
At the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron claimed Trump left to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. However, Trump later refuted this on social media.
Following this, Iran launched another attack on Israel in the early hours of Monday (June 16), damaging the US embassy in the process.
US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, confirmed the embassy suffered ‘minor damage’, noting: “Some minor damage from concussions of Iranian missile hits near Embassy Branch… but no injuries to US personnel.”
Soon after, reports emerged that the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz was en route to the Middle East, as Trump warned of further destruction if a resolution wasn’t reached.
Clarifying that the US was not directly involved in Israel’s initial strike, Trump stated they would respond firmly to any retaliation.
In a significant update today (June 17), Trump reiterated his stance on the Iran-Israel situation, indicating that he hadn’t reached out to Iran and that accepting his original offer could have prevented numerous casualties.
He wrote: “I have not reached out to Iran for ‘Peace Talks’ in any way, shape, or form.
“This is just more HIGHLY FABRICATED, FAKE NEWS! If they want to talk, they know how to reach me. They should have taken the deal that was on the table – Would have saved a lot of lives!!!”
He previously mentioned that Iran acquiring nuclear capabilities contradicts his ‘America First’ agenda, stating: “AMERICA FIRST means many GREAT things, including the fact that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
The conflict between Iran and Israel continues to claim hundreds of lives.