Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Friday, urging Tehran to reach a deal to avoid further devastation following Israel’s latest military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump responded to Israel’s air raids earlier in the day, which reportedly targeted over 100 Iranian sites, killing high-ranking military leaders and nuclear scientists. Iran has labeled the attacks a “declaration of war” and vowed retaliation.
“There has already been great death and destruction,” Trump wrote. “But there is still time to end the slaughter. The next planned attacks will be even more brutal.”
He added, “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left… JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”
Trump emphasized that Israel, heavily armed thanks to U.S. support, “knows how to use” its weapons and stands ready for further action.
In a separate interview with Fox News, Trump said he was briefed on the Israeli strikes before they occurred and reiterated that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. He also signaled openness to renewed negotiations, saying, “We are hoping to get back to the negotiating table.”
During his first term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which had offered sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on Iran’s nuclear activities.
Fox News also reported that Trump’s team had informed at least one key Middle Eastern ally about the impending Israeli strikes, though stressed that the U.S. was not directly involved.
Trump reportedly stated that the U.S. remains ready to defend both itself and Israel should Iran retaliate.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Thursday that the U.S. was not part of the Israeli operations and said Washington’s top priority was safeguarding American personnel in the region.
“Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” Rubio warned.
Trump is scheduled to attend a National Security Council meeting on Friday morning to further assess the situation.
