US President Donald Trump has warned that military action against Iran is “absolutely” a possibility if diplomatic talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme do not result in a deal. The comments came ahead of crucial discussions set to take place this weekend in Oman, where US and Iranian officials are due to meet.
When asked if military intervention was on the table, Trump responded without hesitation, stating: “If necessary, absolutely. If it requires military, we’re going to have military. Israel will obviously be very much involved in that, and will lead the efforts.”
Trump’s warning reflects growing US concerns as Iran approaches a stage where it could potentially develop a viable nuclear weapon. Although Trump did not provide a definitive timeline for how long the negotiations should take, he made it clear that there was not much time to reach a resolution.
“You can tell pretty quickly if talks are going well or not,” Trump said. “And right now, I’d say they’re not going well. That’s just my feeling.”
In 2015, the US, alongside other world powers, struck a historic nuclear deal with Iran, which saw Tehran limit its uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. However, in 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the deal, calling it “the worst deal ever.” Since then, tensions have escalated, with Iran gradually resuming activities that were previously restricted under the agreement.
Adding to the increasing tension, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth commented on the recent relocation of six B-2 stealth bombers to a US-British base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. Experts have suggested that the movement of these bombers could be a message to Iran, signalling the US’s preparedness to take military action if needed.
The B-2 bombers, known for their stealth capabilities, are among the most advanced aircraft in the US military, capable of carrying the heaviest bombs in the arsenal, including the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator. This weapon is designed to target underground facilities, such as Iran’s nuclear sites.
When asked if the relocation of the B-2 bombers was meant to send a message to Iran, Hegseth responded, “We’ll let them decide. It’s a great asset… it sends a message to everyone.” He reiterated that President Trump is still focused on a peaceful resolution, but emphasised that the US is committed to ensuring Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons.
While B-2 bombers have been used in previous operations in Yemen, some experts argue that deploying such a powerful weapon in the Middle East might be seen as excessive. Nevertheless, their presence underscores the increasing concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.
The direct talks between the US and Iran are set to take place in Oman on Saturday. However, Iran has insisted on indirect negotiations, highlighting the differences between the two nations. Despite these efforts, Trump has made it clear that should the talks fail, Iran will face “great danger,” adding pressure to an already volatile situation.
As the US and its allies accuse Iran of enriching uranium to levels that could be used for nuclear weapons, Tehran continues to assert that its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful energy purposes.
