Media: Trump weighs "last-chance" offer to Iran

US President Donald Trump is preparing to extend a “last-chance” offer to Iran to resume nuclear negotiations and prevent further escalation, American and European officials told The Jerusalem Post on June 17.

While the prospective proposal could offer Tehran slightly better terms than the previous offer made nearly two weeks ago, officials say it will still be rooted in Washington’s core demand of “zero uranium enrichment,” Caliber.Az reports.

This renewed diplomatic push follows Iran’s recent attempts to reach out to the United States via mediators in Oman and Qatar, aiming to stop ongoing Israeli airstrikes and revive stalled talks. Saudi Arabia is said to be quietly working through a separate channel to encourage a ceasefire.

President Trump confirmed Iran’s outreach earlier on June 16, stating from Canada: “It looks like Iran isn’t winning this war. They need to talk before it’s too late.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a separate interview with ABC, dismissed Iran’s moves toward negotiation. “It doesn’t surprise me. They want to continue these phony talks – to lie, deceive, and drag the US along. We have very solid intelligence on this.”

An Israeli official cited by The Jerusalem Post said no formal approach had yet been made to Israel. “The negotiations are currently between Tehran and Washington – in the meantime, we continue striking more and more targets.”

The United States is also reinforcing its military posture in the region. The Pentagon announced that the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier would soon arrive in the Middle East, accompanied by around 30 refuelling aircraft. A US source noted that these deployments are intended to support potential strike operations should Trump authorise them. “This is the gun placed on the stage in the first act – Trump is clearly signalling he’s not ruling out the military option.”

Inside the US administration, views reportedly remain divided over the extent of involvement in the Israeli offensive. “US Central Command believes it’s the right thing to do – but there are others, including within Trump’s base, who oppose involvement,” a US official said. “In the end, it will be decided by the head of one redhead,” referring to Trump.

Dan Shapiro, former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Middle East Affairs, told The Jerusalem Post that Trump is assembling the military capabilities necessary to strike Iran, including the underground Fordow nuclear facility. “It does not mean he has made the decision to strike. But Trump can use the threat as leverage to get Iran to agree to return to the table and make the concession they would not before: ending enrichment at the ability to build a nuclear weapon,” he said.

Shapiro, now a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, warned that such a threat must be credible. “Trump has to be willing to follow through if Iran won’t concede, or if Israel does not have a different solution for Fordow.”

In a characteristically blunt message posted on social media, Trump wrote: “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”

By Aghakazim Guliyev