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United States President Donald Trump on Friday downplayed the possibility of stepping in to ask Israel to halt its attacks on Iran amid escalating conflict, warning that Tehran has a "maximum" of two weeks to conclude negotiations.
The remarks followed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s statement that Iran is "ready to consider diplomacy once again once the aggression stops and the aggressor (is) held accountable."
Araghchi was referring to Israel, which launched attacks on June 13, triggering Iranian retaliation with hundreds of drone and missile strikes.
Trump said Washington is unlikely to pressure Israel to stop its campaign, noting Israel is currently "winning" the conflict.
"I think it's very hard to make that request right now. If somebody's winning, it's a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing, but we're ready, willing and able, and we've been speaking to Iran, and we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters after arriving in New Jersey aboard Air Force One.
Regarding the two-week deadline he set Thursday for deciding on U.S. strikes against Iran, Trump said that is the "maximum" time he will allow before acting.
"It's just time to see whether or not people come to their senses," he said.
Trump also minimized the impact of talks Friday between Araghchi and foreign ministers from three European countries, asserting: "Europe is not going to be able to help in this."
"They didn't help, no. Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us," he said.
He reiterated concerns that Iran could have obtained a nuclear weapon "within a matter of weeks, or certainly within a matter of months," adding: "We can't let that happen."
Iran has denied intentions to acquire nuclear weapons, maintaining its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.
The conflict began June 13 when Israel launched attacks on multiple Iranian sites, including military and nuclear facilities. Tehran responded with retaliatory strikes.
Israeli authorities say at least 25 people have died and hundreds have been injured in Iranian missile attacks. Iranian media report 639 deaths and more than 1,300 injuries from the Israeli assault.
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