Trump reiterates threat of military action against Iran
Just days before the planned meeting between U.S. and Iranian representatives regarding the potential revival of the nuclear agreement, former U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his willingness to use military force should Tehran reject his ultimatum.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, April 9, Trump stated—according to the Associated Press and DW—that military action remained on the table.
Trump emphasized that while he wished to see Iran prosper and become “great,” the United States would not allow it to develop nuclear weapons. He claimed that Tehran was aware of this stance and reiterated that military intervention was a real possibility. He also noted that Israel would play an active role in any potential military campaign.
“If we need to take military action, we will,” Trump declared. “Israel, of course, will be very involved. They’ll lead the way. But nobody gives us orders. We do what we want.”
In response to Trump’s repeated threats, Iran vowed a “harsh response” and urged Washington to de-escalate tensions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post, “We cannot imagine that President Trump would want to be remembered as yet another American leader entangled in a catastrophic war in the Middle East.”
During his first term, Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—signed in 2015 and widely known as the nuclear deal—arguing that Tehran was not honoring its commitments. He dismissed the accord as “the worst deal in history.”
Iran signals openness to U.S. investment
On April 12, a long-anticipated meeting between U.S. and Iranian delegations is scheduled to take place in Oman, marking the first such contact in years. While Trump previously claimed the talks would be direct, Iranian officials denied this. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce later clarified that it would be a “meeting” rather than formal “negotiations,” while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the discussions would proceed without intermediaries.
Ahead of the meeting, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reassured the public that Tehran was not pursuing a nuclear weapon and expressed interest in improving relations with the U.S. He highlighted the potential for direct American investment in Iran, provided tensions are de-escalated.
“His Excellency does not oppose American investment in Iran,” Pezeshkian stated, referring to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “American investors: come and invest.”
Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly exploring the possibility of direct talks with Trump on the nuclear issue. According to Reuters, citing an anonymous Middle Eastern diplomat, Iran has conveyed to Washington that it expects “gestures of goodwill” prior to any face-to-face discussions. Such gestures could include lifting certain sanctions or unfreezing Iranian assets abroad. The report also noted that Russia employs a similar strategy in its ongoing negotiations with the U.S., even while conducting full-scale military operations in Ukraine—without significant resistance from Washington.
U.S. Treasury imposes new sanctions on Iran
Despite the anticipated discussions, on April 9, the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear program. Five Iranian companies and one individual were added to the sanctions list for allegedly supporting nuclear development efforts.
Among those sanctioned are firms linked to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, including Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, Thorium Power Company, Pars Reactors Construction and Development Company, and Azarab Industries Co., Associated Press reported.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
