In a significant shift in rhetoric, former US President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of resuming talks with Iran and even reaching a new agreement, following weeks of heightened tensions and military action in the Middle East. Speaking to the media during the NATO summit in The Hague, Trump suggested that negotiations with Iran may begin as early as next week, despite recent hostilities.
The change in tone comes after the United States launched airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which led to Iran suspending all ongoing discussions with the US regarding its nuclear program. However, Trump now appears open to reviving the diplomatic process.
Responding to a media query, Trump said, “We can sign the deal. I don’t think it’s that important to me. They fought the war, they fought it, and now they’re going back to their world. I don’t care if I have the deal or not.”
This seemingly indifferent remark contrasts with earlier aggressive posturing and has sparked speculation that behind-the-scenes negotiations might already be underway.
Following the U.S. strikes, Iran’s parliament passed a resolution suspending its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Several Iranian lawmakers have gone on record stating that Iran must now proceed with building nuclear weapons, signaling a sharp escalation in its strategic posture.
Despite this, diplomatic observers believe Trump’s latest comments could be an attempt to lower tensions and reopen backchannel talks.
When asked about the broader implications of the conflict, Trump acknowledged heavy losses suffered by Israel, particularly due to Iran’s missile strikes.
“Iran has oil, they are smart people. Israel has suffered a lot—especially in the last two days. Those ballistic missiles, oh my God, destroyed a lot of buildings,” Trump said.
His remarks also seem to align with Iran’s claims that Israel initiated the ceasefire, a claim yet to be verified by independent sources.
According to a Reuters report, Trump also observed that both Israel and Iran appear “tired”, hinting at possible temporary relief in hostilities.
“I saw both of them, and they are very tired. Will it start again? I think it will start at some point. Maybe it will start soon,” Trump said, in a statement that raises concerns about the fragile nature of the current ceasefire.
While Trump’s mixed messaging—offering both optimism for a deal and warnings of renewed conflict—has left analysts divided, it is clear that the geopolitical situation remains tense. The coming weeks could prove crucial in determining whether diplomacy will take precedence over further escalation in the region.