According to the Jerusalam post, US President Donald Trump said that Iran is “seriously talking” with Washington, expressing cautious optimism that the Islamic Republic could ultimately agree to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions, amid heightened regional tensions and continued international scrutiny of Tehran’s nuclear program.
Speaking in the Oval Office before signing a series of executive orders, Trump told reporters, “Iran is seriously talking with us, and hopefully they’ll agree to give up nuclear weapons.” He did not provide details on the nature, scope, or venue of the discussions, nor did he clarify whether the talks were direct or mediated through third parties.
Trump’s remarks come against the backdrop of mounting concern in Israel and the West over Iran’s nuclear activities, particularly following reports of damage to Iranian nuclear facilities and subsequent efforts by Tehran to salvage materials from affected sites. Israeli officials have long warned that Iran is edging closer to nuclear weapons capability, a claim Iran continues to deny, insisting its nuclear program is for civilian purposes.
The US president struck a characteristically confident tone, suggesting that diplomatic engagement could succeed where years of pressure and stalled negotiations have failed. However, Trump also reiterated his longstanding position that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, framing the issue as a global security imperative rather than a bilateral dispute.
While the White House has not released an official statement elaborating on Trump’s comments, analysts note that his remarks signal a possible shift toward renewed diplomatic engagement, even as the administration maintains a hard line on enforcement and deterrence. It remains unclear whether any talks referenced by Trump represent a continuation of previous backchannel contacts or a new diplomatic initiative altogether.
In Israel, Trump’s comments were closely watched, as Jerusalem considers Iran’s nuclear program an existential threat. Israeli leaders across the political spectrum have consistently argued that diplomacy must be backed by credible military options, warning that Tehran has historically used negotiations to buy time.
The comments also came on a day marked by political and social tensions inside Israel. Earlier, a right-wing activist blocked the car of former prime minister Ehud Barak for the second time in recent days, drawing condemnation from political figures who warned of rising political intimidation. Separately, controversy erupted after a photo published twice by The New York Times showed a Gaza hospital director wearing what appeared to be a Hamas uniform, fueling debate over media coverage of the war.
Trump did not directly reference Israel during his remarks on Iran, but his administration has repeatedly emphasized close coordination with Israeli leadership on security matters, particularly regarding Iran.
For now, Trump’s statement leaves more questions than answers. Whether Iran is indeed prepared to make meaningful concessions, and whether talks, if they exist can translate into verifiable limits on Tehran’s nuclear program, remains uncertain. Still, his declaration that Iran is “seriously talking” signals that diplomacy, however fragile, may once again be in play.
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