An Attack on Iran Could Come Today, or Else a Big Deal, Trump Says
The United States could launch a fresh attack on Iran again today, Sunday. The country's president, Donald Trump, said on Saturday local time that an attack could begin on Sunday. Or else there could be a 'big deal' with Iran.
For several days there have been fears that the Americans could attack Iran at any time. At such a moment Trump said the attack could begin on Sunday itself, raising tensions further.
When journalists asked Trump about an attack on Iran, he said, we are thinking about an attack, possibly tomorrow, that is, today, Sunday. That remark is now at the centre of discussion.
However, Trump also said that if Iran agrees to a deal on the United States' terms, it could escape a new attack. In other words, alongside the threat of an attack, his remarks also keep the door to a deal open.
He said the Iranians want a deal. But the problem is, will they be able to stay committed to honouring a deal? By raising that question, he also expressed his own doubts about a deal.
Trump claimed his goal was to ensure Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon. He presented stopping Iran's nuclear programme as the main reason for his decision.
Last June, the United States attacked Iranian nuclear infrastructure in Iran with B-2 bombers. But Trump said that if he had not decided to attack Iran again this year, last year's attack might not have been enough to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon.
The US president further claimed to journalists that oil is coming through the Strait of Hormuz as it did before the war. However, he gave no evidence for this, so questions remain over the claim.
Saying that if Iran does not make a deal it will be forced to do so militarily, Trump said, I may have to finish my job. Or else they may make a deal. But I am not sure.
He also said, whether by military attack or by deal, we will win. Through that remark he claimed a United States victory on either of the two paths.
The question now is which path actually takes shape on Sunday—a new attack, or progress towards a big deal. In Trump's own words both possibilities remain open, and that very uncertainty has made the situation even more delicate.
