Will Trump make a deal to end the Iran war? Latest updates

**Trump Iran deal: US considers direct talks to halt Israel-Tehran conflict**

Muhammad Asghar | GlobalBeat

President Donald Trump is reviewing options for direct negotiations with Iran to de-escalate the widening conflict between Israel and Tehran, according to three senior administration officials familiar with the discussions.

The president ordered aides to prepare a diplomatic framework after Israeli strikes killed at least 15 Iranian military personnel near Damascus last week, said one official who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have surged since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord and imposed sweeping sanctions on Iranian oil exports. The latest Israeli strikes, which hit facilities used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, raised fears that Tehran could retaliate against US forces stationed across the Middle East.

Trump told reporters at the White House that he wanted to prevent “another endless war” in the region, without confirming whether direct talks were under way. The president said he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz to present options for reducing tensions within 72 hours. One option under consideration involves limited sanctions relief in exchange for Iran restraining allied militias in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, according to documents reviewed by Reuters.

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, dismissed reports of negotiations when contacted by phone. “The Islamic Republic will not negotiate under pressure,” Iravani said. He added that Tehran reserved the right to respond to Israeli “aggression” but declined to specify what form retaliation might take. Iranian state television reported that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei convened an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council on Monday to discuss Israel’s latest strikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on potential US-Iran talks. One Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss diplomatic matters, said Jerusalem would oppose any agreement that “legitimizes Iran’s nuclear program.” Israel has launched hundreds of strikes against Iranian targets in Syria since 2017, arguing that Tehran’s military presence threatens Israeli security.

The Pentagon has deployed an additional 1,500 troops to the region since January amid rising attacks on US bases by Iran-backed groups. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers that American forces faced at least 12 attacks in Iraq and Syria this month alone. One US contractor died and 4 soldiers sustained minor injuries when rockets struck a base near Erbil in northern Iraq on February 18, according to Central Command.

European diplomats expressed cautious support for potential US-Iran engagement. “Any dialogue that reduces escalation is welcome,” said one senior EU official who requested anonymity. France, Germany, and Britain maintain that the 2015 nuclear deal remains the best mechanism to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons. Tehran has enriched uranium to 60% purity, far exceeding the accord’s 3.67% limit, according to International Atomic Energy Agency reports.

Oil markets reacted nervously to reports of possible negotiations, with Brent crude falling 2% to $76 per barrel before recovering. Iran exports approximately 1.5 million barrels daily despite US sanctions, according to commodity tracker Kpler. Analysts warn that any Israeli attack on Iranian oil facilities could send prices above $100 per barrel. “The market is pricing in a 30% probability of direct US-Iran talks,” said Amrita Sen of Energy Aspects consultancy.

Background

The Trump administration abandoned the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in May 2018, arguing that the agreement failed to address Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional activities. The accord had lifted sanctions in exchange for limits on Tehran’s nuclear work. After withdrawal, Washington reimposed sanctions that halved Iran’s oil exports and barred international companies from doing business with Tehran.

Israel and Iran have engaged in a shadow war across Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon for years. Israeli strikes have killed more than 30 Iranian military personnel since October, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Tehran has responded by increasing support for allied militias, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq. These groups have launched dozens of drone and rocket attacks against Israeli and US targets.

What’s Next

Secretary Rubio is expected to brief senators on Iran policy during a classified hearing next week, according to congressional aides. Tehran must respond to Israel’s latest strikes before March 1, based on previous patterns of retaliation. Regional analysts warn that Iran might target Israeli diplomatic facilities or increase attacks on shipping through the Red Sea.

The administration faces a narrow window to prevent wider conflict before Israel’s planned ground operation in southern Lebanon. Netanyahu told cabinet ministers that operations against Hezbollah would begin “within weeks” unless the group withdraws from border areas. Any Israeli incursion could trigger massive Iranian retaliation, potentially drawing US forces into direct combat.

Trump’s willingness to engage Iran marks a potential shift from his first-term “maximum pressure” campaign. Whether Supreme Leader Khamenei accepts negotiations remains unclear. Iranian officials privately told regional intermediaries they want sanctions relief worth at least $50 billion annually, according to two Gulf diplomats. Without economic benefits, Tehran appears likely to continue its current strategy of gradual nuclear escalation and proxy attacks.