Donald Trump stated on Sunday morning that Saturday's attacks increased the possibilities for a diplomatic agreement with Iran. He gave two main reasons for the attacks: failed negotiations and Iran's actions over several decades. Trump says there are several possible outcomes from the offensive against Iran.
He says he could go all the way and take over everything, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians 'we'll see you again in a few years if you start building up your nuclear and missile programs again'. Trump says he can still be open to a diplomatic solution despite the collapse of US-Iran nuclear talks in Switzerland this week. Trump says his decision to carry out 'Operation midnight hammer' made Saturday's offensive possible.
Regardless of which, it will take several years for them to recover from this attack.
According to Trump, Iran had started rebuilding some of the nuclear facilities that the US and Israel struck during the so-called '12-day war' in June last year. However, independent analysts have pointed to construction activity at certain facilities but have not concluded that Iran has resumed its nuclear weapons program. Trump says he had contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday.
According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump has also spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The specific targets hit in the attacks against Iran and the extent of damage caused by 'Operation midnight hammer' remain unknown. The current status of diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran is also unclear.
I can go all the way and take over everything, or end it in two or three days and say to the Iranians 'we'll see you again in a few years if you start building up your nuclear and missile programs again'.