‘Clock is Ticking’: Trump speaks to Netanyahu, hints at renewed strikes on Iran
Amid the threat of renewed strikes, Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, said that Washington is falling into Israel's trap.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Iran had begun reaching out to Washington seeking negotiations, even as American and Israeli forces continue a sustained military campaign targeting Tehran’s missile and drone infrastructure.
The remarks came as tensions across West Asia escalated sharply following joint US–Israel strikes on Iranian territory. The conflict, now in its seventh day, has triggered retaliatory drone and missile attacks by Tehran and raised concerns about wider instability in the region.
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Speaking at the White House during a ceremony honouring Major League Soccer champions Inter Miami, who were accompanied by club captain Lionel Messi, Trump said Iranian officials were trying to reopen talks after suffering significant military setbacks.
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“They [Iran] are calling; they are saying, ‘How do we make a deal?’ I said, ‘You are being a little bit late.’ Now we want to fight more than they do.”
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Trump claims major damage to Iran’s military capability
According to the US President, American forces working alongside Israeli partners were steadily dismantling Iran’s missile and drone capabilities under the ongoing military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.
“The United States military, together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continues to demolish the enemy far ahead of schedule and at levels that people have never seen before. We are destroying more of Iran’s missiles and drone capability every single hour.”
Trump also claimed that large parts of Iran’s defence infrastructure had already been destroyed. He said around 60 per cent of Iran’s missile systems and 64 per cent of its launch platforms had been eliminated during the operation.
“They don’t know what is happening… Their Navy is gone, 24 ships in three days… Their anti-aircraft weapons are gone, so they have no Air Force… All of their aeroplanes are gone… their communications are gone, missiles are gone, launchers are gone, about 60 per cent and 64 per cent, respectively,” Trump said.
Trump urges Iranian forces to surrender, offers immunity
Trump also issued a warning to members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and other security forces, urging them to surrender and cooperate.
“I’m once again calling on all members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the military, and the police to lay down their arms. They are only going to be killed. And now is the time to stand up for the Iranian people and help take back your country,” he said.
The US President said those who chose to cooperate would receive protection from Washington.
“Accept immunity; we will give you immunity, or you will face absolutely guaranteed death,” he warned.
Trump also appealed to Iranian diplomats stationed abroad to seek asylum and support what he described as a new future for the country.
“We urge Iranian diplomats around the world to request asylum and help us shape a new and better Iran with great potential,” he said.
Conflict widens after strikes on Iran
Trump’s comments come after joint US–Israel strikes on February 28 inside Iran, which reportedly killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior figures.
Iran responded with waves of drone and missile attacks targeting American military bases in multiple Arab countries as well as Israeli assets across the region.
Israel has continued hitting targets in Tehran while widening its military operations to Hezbollah positions in neighbouring Lebanon. The fighting is steadily spilling across borders and drawing in more players in the region.
The escalation is being closely watched around the world because of its potential to unsettle the Middle East and disrupt vital oil shipping routes through the Gulf.
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