Iran Urged to Reach Deal After Trump Signals Military Strike
The White House has warned that it would be “wise” for Iran to reach a deal with the United States after President Donald Trump once again signalled military strikes against Tehran, amid escalating tensions.
The two countries recently resumed indirect negotiations, mediated by Oman, as reported by AFP on Thursday (19/2/2026), after Trump repeatedly threatened military action against Iran over its brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters last month.
Previous negotiation efforts collapsed when Israel launched a wave of surprise strikes on Iranian territory in June last year, sparking a 12-day war between the two hostile nations. Washington became involved in the conflict by bombing Tehran’s nuclear sites.
“Iran would be very wise to reach a deal with President Trump and his administration,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday (18/2) local time.
The statement came after Trump again signalled that the US might attack Iran amid a massive deployment of American military forces in the Middle East.
Via his Truth Social platform on Wednesday (18/2), Trump initially warned Britain against relinquishing sovereignty over the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, then stated that the Diego Garcia air base on the archipelago would be needed should Iran refuse to reach a deal with the US.
“If Iran decides not to make a deal, then the United States may need to use Diego Garcia, from the airfield located at Fairford, to eradicate potential attacks by a very unstable and dangerous regime,” Trump said in his statement.
Leading US media outlets, including CNN and CBS, reported on Wednesday (18/2) that the US military would be ready to launch strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, although Trump has reportedly not yet made a final decision.
Another prominent US outlet, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing a US official, revealed that Trump had been briefed on US military options with “everything designed to maximise damage”.
According to the unnamed US official, the military options include strikes to “kill a number of Iran’s political and military leaders, with the aim of toppling the government”.
Iran Says It Does Not Want War, But Refuses to Submit to US Demands
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed on Wednesday (18/2) that his country does not want war. However, Pezeshkian also indicated he would not submit to Washington’s demands.
“We do not want war,” he stressed.
“Since the day I took office, I have believed that war must be set aside. But if they try to impose their will upon us, humiliate us, and demand that we bow our heads by any means necessary, should we accept that?” Pezeshkian said.
The Oman-mediated negotiations are intended to avert possible US military action, with Tehran demanding the lifting of Washington’s sanctions that have crippled its economy.
Iran insists that talks be limited to the nuclear issue, although the US is pushing for Iran’s missile programme and its support for armed groups in the Middle East to also be discussed.
Following the second round of negotiations held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday (17/2), Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country was “formulating” a framework for further talks with the US.
Araghchi said Tehran had agreed on “guiding principles” with Washington, but US Vice President JD Vance said Iran had not yet acknowledged all the red lines set by the US.