United States President Donald Trump has urged Iran to return to the negotiating table amid its escalating conflict with Israel, stating that the Islamic Republic is not gaining ground and stands to lose more if diplomatic channels are ignored.
At a press briefing at the G7 summit in Canada on Monday, Trump said the current trajectory of violence benefits no one and urged Iranian leaders to consider a peaceful resolution before it becomes too late.
“It’s painful for both parties,” Trump said. “But I’d say Iran is not winning this war, and they should talk — and they should talk immediately.”
According to USA News Today, U.S. intelligence sources indicate that Iran has quietly signaled interest in opening dialogue channels with Western powers and Israel to de-escalate the situation. Trump confirmed that Iranian officials are showing signs of being open to discussions.
“They’d like to talk,” Trump emphasized, interpreting this as an opportunity for diplomacy to avert further catastrophe in the Middle East.
The president’s remarks come amid a sharp uptick in violence that has captured global attention. Over the weekend, Israel launched a massive wave of airstrikes involving more than 200 fighter jets targeting key Iranian military and nuclear sites.
The operation reportedly led to the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian generals and top nuclear scientists.
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The Iranian government retaliated with missile attacks that caused damage to civilian and military infrastructure, including the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, further inflaming tensions.
International leaders at the G7 summit have voiced concern over the spiraling conflict, with calls for restraint and coordinated diplomatic efforts dominating summit discussions.
Trump’s tone appeared both cautionary and strategic, aimed at nudging Iran toward negotiation while reaffirming America’s commitment to its allies.
“Iran has to understand that prolonging this war will only bring more pain,” he said. “There is still a path back to diplomacy.”
The U.S. administration has not ruled out mediation, with some senior officials hinting at backchannel discussions being explored by European powers and Gulf states.
Earlier, Trump had abruptly left parts of the G7 discussions to monitor the Middle East situation more closely. His national security team has been holding near-continuous meetings with allies and intelligence officials.
With the humanitarian situation deteriorating in several parts of Iran and Israel, pressure is mounting for all sides to prioritize dialogue.
As of Tuesday morning, thousands have fled Tehran, while fuel shortages, power outages, and food insecurity continue to spread. Iranian citizens are calling for both their government and Israel to end the attacks and seek a peaceful solution.
Trump concluded his remarks by warning Tehran: “It’s not too late, but time is running out.”
Agency reports
