Trump: Israel’s attack could spark serious Iran nuclear talks

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that Israel's recent military strikes against Iran might actually enhance the prospects of negotiations to revive a nuclear deal with Tehran.

During an interview with Axios, when it was asked if the Israeli airstrikes could spoil diplomatic talks, Trump said, "I don't think so. Maybe the opposite. Maybe now they will negotiate seriously."

Looking back at the unsuccessful negotiations in his time, he said, "I couldn't get them to an agreement in 60 days. They were close, they should have done it. Perhaps now it will happen."

According to Trump, as reported by Axios and quoted by Xinhua, Trump acknowledged having talked with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone on Friday — their first since the airstrikes. Trump said nothing about any details from their conversation and declined to comment on whether Netanyahu had asked for U.S. involvement in the attack.

During a series of phone calls with different news agencies on Friday, Trump insisted repeatedly that Iran come back to the negotiating table, threatening that further Israeli military action would grow "even more brutal."

Referring to NBC News, he said, "They missed the chance to make a deal. Now they could have another chance. We'll see."

According to Reuters, he said, "They can still cut a deal, however, it's not late."

Earlier in the day, Trump had tweeted on his social media network Truth Social, stating, "Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left."

The U.S. State Department had warned Qatar and some other American allies in the region hours earlier that Israel was going to strike Iran, a Reuters report stated.

In another interview with The Washington Post, Trump asserted he had known in advance about Israel's intentions. "I always knew the date," he explained. "Because I know everything. I know everything. I know everything."