Trump Urges Iran To Agree To Nuclear Deal Following Devastating Israeli Attacks

President Donald Trump issued a statement urging Iran to accept a nuclear deal to prevent further escalation, following a devastating Israeli attack that destroyed significant Iranian military personnel and resources.

On Friday night, Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting multiple Iranian nuclear sites and killing a number of senior military commanders and top nuclear scientists. The coordinated attack, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has referred to as “Operation Rising Lion,” appears to only be the beginning of its military campaign.

In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel “should anticipate a severe punishment” and “has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see.”

Trump took to social media to warn Iran that discontinuing the ongoing nuclear negotiations with the U.S. would be a grave mistake.

“I told them, in the strongest of words, to ‘just do it,’ but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done,” said Trump. “Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse.

“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”

Iran has been involved in talks with the Trump administration to limit its nuclear program. Iran rejected the latest offer and had accused the U.S. of not taking the negotiations seriously.

It has set the goal of talks as imposing its demands and has adopted offensive positions that are diametrically opposed to “Iranians’ inalienable rights,” said Iranian lawmakers following their rejection of the latest proposal.

Trump has said that continued negotiations were still scheduled for this coming Sunday, though it remains to be seen if they will still take place following Israel’s attacks.

In an official statement following the airstrikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the U.S. was not involved in the overnight military action and there is not a plan to engage.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense,” said Marco. “President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”