White House Presses Iran to Negotiate as Military Options Loom
The Iranian regime "would be very wise" to strike a nuclear agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared during a Wednesday media briefing. Her warning comes amid indirect Washington-Tehran nuclear negotiations and a substantial American military buildup throughout the Middle East region.
Diplomacy First, But Military Readiness Clear
"The president has always been very clear though, with respect to Iran or any country around the world — diplomacy is always his first option and Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with this administration," Leavitt stated. She prefaced her remarks by acknowledging that "there are many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran."
Leavitt emphasized Trump's deliberative approach, noting he consults extensively with his national security team. "He's always thinking about what is in the best interest of the United States of America, of our military, of the American people, and that's how he makes decisions with respect to military action of any kind," she added.
Nuclear Talks Progress Amid Conflicting Reports
A second round of Omani-mediated nuclear negotiations concluded in Geneva this week, following initial talks earlier this month in Muscat. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated progress had been made, an assessment corroborated by a U.S. official who told Reuters that Iran agreed to submit detailed proposals within two weeks to narrow remaining gaps.
However, conflicting reports emerged about the substance of these discussions. One senior U.S. official told Israeli journalist Barak Ravid that Araghchi offered "a lot of positive things" in talks with presidential adviser Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steven Witkoff, while stressing that "the ball is in Iran's court." A second senior American official expressed deep skepticism, dismissing the Geneva meetings as "a hamburger stuffed with nothing."
Military Timetable and Preparations
Senior national security officials have informed President Trump that the U.S. military could be prepared to launch strikes against Iran as early as Saturday, according to CBS News reporting. Officials speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter clarified that Trump has not made a final decision regarding military action, with people familiar with deliberations suggesting any potential action would more likely occur later.
Contradicting these reports, a senior American official told Ravid that U.S. forces would not be fully prepared for an attack by the weekend because the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier would not yet be positioned in the eastern Mediterranean. Trump has ordered the redeployment of the massive warship from the Caribbean to join a growing naval presence assembled to pressure Iran.
Administration Statements and Briefings
U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated on Tuesday that President Trump possesses "a lot of tools" to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Trump gathered his senior advisers Wednesday night for a meeting on the Iran crisis, where he received briefings about Tuesday's nuclear talks in Geneva, according to reports from two senior American officials.
The White House continues to emphasize diplomatic solutions while maintaining military readiness, creating a tense backdrop for ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The situation remains fluid as both diplomatic and military options remain actively under consideration by the Trump administration.
