Trump Says Iran Must Make a Deal, Unsure Who to Talk To

President Donald Trump declared that Iran must reach a deal. He also said he is uncertain whom to negotiate with in Iran following the deaths of many of the country's leaders.

US commanders are preparing for the possibility that a new round of strikes could trigger Iranian missile and drone attacks on American installations, on Israel and on neighboring Gulf states, The Wall Street Journal reported.

In a rare in-person White House briefing, Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), presented options for renewed strikes on Iran. Washington is also dispatching an additional Patriot air defense battery to Israel over concerns about interceptor stockpiles.

Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir (Photo: Tzafrir Abayov/Flash90)

On Friday, Trump told Kansas City radio station KCMO that the US needs a guarantee Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon. "We need a guarantee there'll never be a nuclear weapon," he said. He also predicted an end to the fighting: "It's going to get wrapped up soon." The Jerusalem Post noted that he did not explain how the conflict would be brought to a close.

Trump separately denied that he had directed Vice President JD Vance to open peace negotiations with Iran. The Journal had reported that Vance wrote to an Iranian official on the president's instructions.

Regional actors have also urged talks. Citing two regional diplomats, i24News reported that senior Saudi officials asked Trump to "give diplomacy a chance." According to that report, Riyadh fears Iranian missile fire on infrastructure and energy facilities inside Saudi Arabia if war between the United States and Iran resumes.