Israel vs Iran conflict: Following the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran on Tuesday, President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran, saying, “Iran has to get back into the world order flow, or things will only get worse for them.” Trump, who played a pivotal role in halting the 12-day war between the two adversaries, indicated that his administration had considered economic and diplomatic concessions for Iran to encourage de-escalation.
Revealing behind-the-scenes decisions during the final stages of the conflict, Trump said, “I demanded that Israel bring back a very large group of planes, which were heading directly to Tehran.” He added that he had specific knowledge of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s location but chose not to authorise any lethal action: “I would not let Israel or the US Armed Forces terminate his life.”
Trump on Khamenei’s claim of victory
Trump also dismissed Ayatollah Khamenei’s declaration that Iran had “won the war with Israel,” calling it “a lie.” He stressed that the reality on the ground, including significant Iranian losses, contradicted Tehran’s victory narrative.
Sanctions and economic incentives
Trump claimed that in the lead-up to the ceasefire, his administration was exploring the removal of sanctions to help Iran recover. “I was working on the possible removal of sanctions, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a recovery,” he said.
However, he categorically denied media reports that he planned to provide Iran with $30 billion to build non-military nuclear facilities. Referring to CNN and NBC reports as a “hoax,” Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Never heard of this ridiculous idea.”
While Trump insists no aid package has been finalised, indirect US-Iran talks over the nuclear issue have resumed. Iran claims its nuclear ambitions are peaceful, while the US maintains its goal is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The ceasefire has temporarily de-escalated tensions, but Washington is likely to keep pressure on Iran to re-engage diplomatically.