Trump Gives Israel Green Light: "No Deal With Iran Means Military Action"

In an exclusive interview with Channel 12 News on Tuesday, President Donald Trump made his position regarding the Iranian threat abundantly clear: Tehran must choose between a comprehensive diplomatic surrender or a massive military escalation. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Washington for their seventh meeting within a year, the President revealed that he is considering bolstering the existing American "armada" in the Middle East with a second carrier strike group. Trump emphasized that while the Iranian regime appears more flexible in current negotiations than they were prior to the 12-day war last June, the United States is ready to act "very tough" if a deal is not reached. The President’s remarks set a high stakes stage for Wednesday’s White House summit, where the two leaders will align their strategies on nuclear containment and the dismantling of Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal.

The Looming Armada

The military dimension of the current crisis is rapidly expanding. The United States currently maintains the USS Abraham Lincoln and its associated strike group in the region, providing a constant platform for stealth operations. However, President Trump disclosed that discussions are underway to send a second aircraft carrier and its accompanying destroyers to the Gulf. "We have an armada there and maybe another one on the way," Trump noted, a move that would return American fire power in the region to levels not seen since the height of the two-year war against terrorists in Gaza.

This buildup is intended to serve as both a safety net and a primary lever of pressure. American officials confirmed that reinforcing the presence in the Middle East is a top priority to ensure that if the diplomatic track in Oman fails, the military can strike Iranian targets with zero delay. Trump believes this posture has already changed the Iranian mindset. He noted that the recent talks in Oman were "completely different" from previous sessions, suggesting that the regime no longer believes he is bluffing. "Last time they didn't believe I would do it. They took one gamble too many," Trump said, referring to his June 2025 decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities.

The Netanyahu Summit and Red Lines

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Washington is centered on ensuring that any potential deal with Iran is "a good deal." Before boarding his flight, Netanyahu told reporters that he intends to present the President with the "essential principles" of negotiation that are vital for the security of the entire Middle East. Trump dismissed rumors that Netanyahu is anxious about the ongoing talks, stating, "I don't think Netanyahu is stressed by the negotiations with Iran. He also wants a deal. He wants a good deal."

For the Trump administration, a "good deal" is no longer limited to the nuclear issue. The President asserted that while stopping the nuclear program is an "obvious matter," any final agreement must also address Iran’s vast stockpiles of ballistic missiles. This demand is currently being relayed through regional mediators. While the President’s team negotiates in Oman, Iranian National Security Advisor Ali Larijani has been seen in Muscat and Doha, meeting with the Sultan of Oman and Qatari leadership to gauge how much the regime can salvage. Trump expects a second round of direct talks to take place as early as next week, but the underlying message remains: without a total agreement on both nukes and missiles, the engines of the American armada will stay running.