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The Age
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Age
Australia urges diplomacy as deadly Israel-Iran strikes ramp up and Trump weighs US options
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has joined demands for Iran to stop its nuclear weapons program and come to the negotiating table within the two-week deadline set by US President Donald Trump on Friday as he decides whether to join Israel's strikes on the country. But as the Israel-Iran war entered its second week, more than 60 Israeli warplanes struck targets in Iran on Friday, including what Israel said were industrial sites used to produce missiles. Israel said it had also hit the headquarters of Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, which the US had previously linked to the possible development of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Iran condemned Israel's strike on its Arak heavy-water reactor on Thursday, describing it as a violation of international protocols designed to protect nuclear sites. 'Any military attack on nuclear facilities is an assault on the entire IAEA safeguards regime and ultimately the NPT,' Iran's Foreign Minister Sayyid Abbas Araghchi posted on X. Loading In Israel, the emergency service said seven people suffered minor injuries when Iranian missiles hit a residential area in the south, causing damage to buildings. Separately, Israel accused Iran of deliberately targeting civilians with cluster munitions, which disperse small bombs over a wide area. And Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanon's Hezbollah to exercise caution, saying Israel's patience with 'terrorists' who threaten it had worn thin.
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Israel, Iran launch strikes a week into their war as new diplomatic effort takes shape
Israel and Iran exchanged strikes a week into their war on Friday (June 20, 2025) as President Donald Trump weighed U.S. military involvement and new diplomatic efforts appeared to be underway. Mr. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's 'bunker-buster' bombs. He said he'll decide within two weeks whether the U.S. military will get directly involved in the war given the 'substantial chance' for renewed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme. Israel-Iran conflict LIVE updates Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared to be en route to Geneva for meetings with the European Union's top diplomat and counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. A plane with his usual call sign took off from the Turkish city of Van, near the Iranian border, flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed. Iran typically acknowledges his departure hours afterward. Britain's foreign secretary said he met at the White House with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. Before his flight, Araghchi said on Iranian state television that his country was 'not seeking negotiations with anyone' so long as Israel's attacks continued, underscoring the diplomatic challenges ahead. He also accused the US of being 'companions and collaborators' with Israel, noting that Trump regularly used 'we' in social media posts and interviews talking about the attacks on Iran. Israel says air campaign will target more sites Israel said it conducted airstrikes into Friday morning in Iran with more than 60 aircraft hitting what it said were industrial sites to manufacture missiles. It did not elaborate on the locations. It also said it hit the headquarters of Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its acronym in Farsi, SPND. The US in the past has linked that agency to alleged Iranian research and testing tied to the possible development of nuclear explosive devices. 'A week has passed since the operation began,' Israeli military spokesperson Brig Gen Effie Defrin told reporters. 'We are strengthening our air control in the region and advancing our air offensive,' he said. 'We have more sites to strike in Tehran, western Iran and other places.' Israeli airstrikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, southwest of the city's downtown. But with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear just how many people could see the message. Damage from missiles in southern Israel In Israel, the paramedic service Magen David Adom said missiles struck a residential area in southern Israel causing damage to buildings, including one six-story building. They have provided medical treatment to five people with minor injuries such as bruises, smoke inhalation, and anxiety, it said. This comes a day after at least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in a strike on the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba. On Thursday, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the Iranian missile crashed into the hospital. Israel's military 'has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist,' Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would 'do what's best for America.' Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the hospital, he added: 'I can tell you that they're already helping a lot.' The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13, with Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's multitiered air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded. Iran has long maintained its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. But it is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. Israel is widely believed to be the only Middle Eastern country with a nuclear weapons programme but has never acknowledged it. The Israeli air campaign has targeted Iran's enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, a nuclear site in Isfahan and what the army assesses to be most of Iran's ballistic missile launchers. The destruction of those launchers has contributed to the steady decline in Iranian attacks since the start of the conflict.
Mint
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Israel vs Iran Conflict: Over 60 Israeli fighter jets strike Tehran, destroy nuclear weapons project research centre
Israel vs Iran conflict: The Israeli military on Friday said it attacked dozens of targets in Tehran overnight using more than 60 fighter jets as the conflict between the two neighbouring foes entered its eighth day. Israel's military revealed the strike also targeted what it called a centre for 'research and development of Iran's nuclear weapons project'. '60+ fighter jets struck dozens of military targets in Iran using approximately 120 munitions,' the IDF said in a statement. The Israeli military further said in its statement that it had 'completed a series of strikes in the heart of Tehran: dozens of targets were struck, including military missile production sites and the SPND (Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research) headquarters for research and development of Iran's nuclear weapons project.' The Israeli military described the SNPD headquarters as a centre that 'is used for research and development of advanced technologies and weapons supporting the Iranian regime's military capabilities'. 'Among the targets were sites producing missile components and facilities manufacturing raw materials used in casting missile engines,' it added. The military also said it intercepted four UAVs launched from Iran overnight. In a separate statement, the army said on Friday it had hit 'three ready-to-launch missile launchers aimed at Israeli territory'. In another statement, the Israeli military said its fighter jets have struck 'several Iranian missile systems and radar installations in the areas of Isfahan and Tehran, which were intended to target IDF aircraft and disrupt their operations.' Earlier in the day, the IDF said in a post on X that sirens were sounding in southern Israel 'due to missile fire from Iran'. 'Sirens sounding in southern Israel due to missile fire from Iran,' it wrote. The conflict between Iran and Israel started after Tel Aviv launched a series of strikes against military and nuclear infrastructure in Iran under 'Operation Rising Lion' on June 13. Iran responded with retaliatory strikes and launched 'Operation True Promise III'. Since the military attacks started over a week ago, the UN nuclear watchdog has been reporting damage at several of these facilities, including at nuclear-related sites located in Natanz, Arak, Esfahan and Tehran, and their potential radiological effect.
The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Diplomatic push takes shape a week into Israel-Iran war
Israel and Iran are exchanging strikes a week into their war as President Donald Trump considers US military involvement and new diplomatic efforts appear to be under way. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's "bunker-buster" bombs. He said he would decide within two weeks whether the US military will get directly involved in the war given the "substantial chance" for renewed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared headed to Geneva on Friday for meetings with the European Union's top diplomat and counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Britain's foreign secretary said he met at the White House with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. Israel said it conducted air strikes into Friday morning in Iran with more than 60 aircraft hitting what it said were industrial sites to manufacture missiles. It also said it hit the headquarters of Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its acronym in Farsi, SPND. The US in the past has linked that agency to alleged Iranian research and testing tied to the possible development of nuclear explosive devices. Israeli air strikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early on Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, but with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear how many people could see the message. In Israel, paramedic service Magen David Adom said missiles struck a residential area in southern Israel causing damage to buildings, including one six-storey building. Five people were treated for minor injuries such as bruises, smoke inhalation and anxiety, it said. This came a day after at least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in a strike on the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba. On Thursday, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the Iranian missile crashed into the hospital. Israel's military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist", Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would "do what's best for America". Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the hospital, he added: "I can tell you that they're already helping a lot." The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13 with Israeli air strikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's multi-tiered air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded. Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but it is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. The Israeli air campaign has targeted Iran's enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, a nuclear site in Isfahan and what the army assesses to be most of Iran's ballistic missile launchers. The destruction of those launchers has contributed to the steady decline in Iranian attacks since the start of the conflict. Israel and Iran are exchanging strikes a week into their war as President Donald Trump considers US military involvement and new diplomatic efforts appear to be under way. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's "bunker-buster" bombs. He said he would decide within two weeks whether the US military will get directly involved in the war given the "substantial chance" for renewed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared headed to Geneva on Friday for meetings with the European Union's top diplomat and counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Britain's foreign secretary said he met at the White House with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. Israel said it conducted air strikes into Friday morning in Iran with more than 60 aircraft hitting what it said were industrial sites to manufacture missiles. It also said it hit the headquarters of Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its acronym in Farsi, SPND. The US in the past has linked that agency to alleged Iranian research and testing tied to the possible development of nuclear explosive devices. Israeli air strikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early on Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, but with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear how many people could see the message. In Israel, paramedic service Magen David Adom said missiles struck a residential area in southern Israel causing damage to buildings, including one six-storey building. Five people were treated for minor injuries such as bruises, smoke inhalation and anxiety, it said. This came a day after at least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in a strike on the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba. On Thursday, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the Iranian missile crashed into the hospital. Israel's military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist", Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would "do what's best for America". Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the hospital, he added: "I can tell you that they're already helping a lot." The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13 with Israeli air strikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's multi-tiered air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded. Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but it is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. The Israeli air campaign has targeted Iran's enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, a nuclear site in Isfahan and what the army assesses to be most of Iran's ballistic missile launchers. The destruction of those launchers has contributed to the steady decline in Iranian attacks since the start of the conflict. Israel and Iran are exchanging strikes a week into their war as President Donald Trump considers US military involvement and new diplomatic efforts appear to be under way. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's "bunker-buster" bombs. He said he would decide within two weeks whether the US military will get directly involved in the war given the "substantial chance" for renewed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared headed to Geneva on Friday for meetings with the European Union's top diplomat and counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Britain's foreign secretary said he met at the White House with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. Israel said it conducted air strikes into Friday morning in Iran with more than 60 aircraft hitting what it said were industrial sites to manufacture missiles. It also said it hit the headquarters of Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its acronym in Farsi, SPND. The US in the past has linked that agency to alleged Iranian research and testing tied to the possible development of nuclear explosive devices. Israeli air strikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early on Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, but with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear how many people could see the message. In Israel, paramedic service Magen David Adom said missiles struck a residential area in southern Israel causing damage to buildings, including one six-storey building. Five people were treated for minor injuries such as bruises, smoke inhalation and anxiety, it said. This came a day after at least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in a strike on the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba. On Thursday, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the Iranian missile crashed into the hospital. Israel's military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist", Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would "do what's best for America". Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the hospital, he added: "I can tell you that they're already helping a lot." The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13 with Israeli air strikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's multi-tiered air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded. Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but it is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. The Israeli air campaign has targeted Iran's enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, a nuclear site in Isfahan and what the army assesses to be most of Iran's ballistic missile launchers. The destruction of those launchers has contributed to the steady decline in Iranian attacks since the start of the conflict. Israel and Iran are exchanging strikes a week into their war as President Donald Trump considers US military involvement and new diplomatic efforts appear to be under way. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's "bunker-buster" bombs. He said he would decide within two weeks whether the US military will get directly involved in the war given the "substantial chance" for renewed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared headed to Geneva on Friday for meetings with the European Union's top diplomat and counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Britain's foreign secretary said he met at the White House with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. Israel said it conducted air strikes into Friday morning in Iran with more than 60 aircraft hitting what it said were industrial sites to manufacture missiles. It also said it hit the headquarters of Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its acronym in Farsi, SPND. The US in the past has linked that agency to alleged Iranian research and testing tied to the possible development of nuclear explosive devices. Israeli air strikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early on Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, but with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear how many people could see the message. In Israel, paramedic service Magen David Adom said missiles struck a residential area in southern Israel causing damage to buildings, including one six-storey building. Five people were treated for minor injuries such as bruises, smoke inhalation and anxiety, it said. This came a day after at least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in a strike on the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba. On Thursday, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the Iranian missile crashed into the hospital. Israel's military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist", Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would "do what's best for America". Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the hospital, he added: "I can tell you that they're already helping a lot." The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13 with Israeli air strikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's multi-tiered air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded. Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but it is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. The Israeli air campaign has targeted Iran's enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, a nuclear site in Isfahan and what the army assesses to be most of Iran's ballistic missile launchers. The destruction of those launchers has contributed to the steady decline in Iranian attacks since the start of the conflict.
Spectator
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Trump's two-week delay will unsettle Iran
In a statement relayed by press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the White House declared that President Donald Trump would decide 'within the next two weeks' whether to join Israel's air campaign against Iran's nuclear facilities. In isolation, it might seem a routine delay – an effort to keep diplomatic channels open, to stage manage an American entry into the conflict or even to row back on Trump's previous gung-ho position. But by now we should all be attuned to Trump's history and methods, and appreciate that this declaration could in fact carry a more intricate calculus. Beneath its surface lies a lattice of strategic ambiguity, political choreography and psychological pressure. With this single phrase, deliberately delivered by a spokesperson not but he President himself, Trump has once again defied expectations, introduced a calibrated uncertainty, and blurred the lines between bluff, intention and inevitability. While Trump claims the United States is watching and waiting, Israeli fighter jets are dismantling Iran's military-industrial complex with breathtaking speed The phrase itself – 'within the next two weeks' – is familiar terrain. Trump has employed it repeatedly during his political career to imply imminent action without ever committing to it. As Senator Chris Murphy acidly observed, 'He's used it a million times before to pretend he might be doing something he's not.' But this very elasticity is the point. Trump's rhetorical timeline is not a promise – it is a tool. Far from making 'America look weak and silly' as Murphy says, the deliberate vagueness allows Trump to keep adversaries off balance, generate psychological stress and maintain operational flexibility. It creates space in which pressure can build, without necessarily triggering immediate confrontation. The Islamic regime in Iran, which has long relied on delay and obfuscation in their own diplomatic strategy, now find themselves on the receiving end of a similar approach. While Trump claims the United States is watching and waiting, Israeli fighter jets are dismantling Iran's military-industrial complex with breathtaking speed. Over the past 48 hours, more than 60 aircraft struck dozens of high-value targets, including missile production centres near Tehran, the headquarters of its Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, long associated with nuclear weapons, and facilities essential to uranium enrichment. Senior regime figures have been eliminated with precision. Drones have been intercepted in flight. The tempo of the campaign suggests that Israel has already exceeded the upper bound of its own expectations. With this level of success, achieved at such speed, the longer Trump allows Israel to continue fighting at full capacity, the less leverage Iran retains in any potential negotiations taking place with European powers. Even a few additional days of unrestrained Israeli strikes further weaken Tehran's position, advancing American strategic aims without requiring the United States to commit forces or incur direct costs. This sudden asymmetry presents Trump with options. He can plausibly continue to hold American forces in reserve while Israel degrades Iran's capabilities alone. He can lend further support covertly – transferring weapons, sharing intelligence, even facilitating the use of specialised aircraft or munitions – without formally entering the war. Or, when the time is judged ripe, he can intervene with overwhelming force and finality, claiming both restraint and resolution. The ambiguity he sustains is not indecision. It is a deliberate orchestration of multiple outcomes, all held in suspension. Critically, the delay may also serve to intensify internal pressures within Iran. Thus far, the regime has endured assassinations, infrastructure losses and military humiliation without triggering the kind of elite fragmentation or popular protest that could threaten its cohesion. Yet the potential for rupture grows daily. Iran's history shows that while popular discontent is chronic, meaningful protest – organised, sustained, regime-threatening – is rare but not impossible. Khamenei may believe he can ride out public anger, but the longer the campaign continues, the more that calculation is tested. Trump's two-week pause may be, in part, a space granted for these internal dynamics to mature, either toward renewed negotiation, or toward structural weakness. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, for his part, projects a posture of defiant dignity, insisting the US approached the Iranian regime to negotiate and they refused. He is expected to meet with the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Britain in Geneva later today. But Araghchi insisted that 'under current circumstances, and while the Zionist regime's aggression continues, we are not seeking negotiations with anyone.' For the Islamic regime, image is paramount. Ego frequently overrides rational strategy. Yet the refusal to show weakness is not simply ideological, it is geopolitical. Tehran fears that any admission of vulnerability would reverberate across the region, weakening its proxies even further and emboldening its enemies. It must project strength, even as that illusion becomes harder to sustain. There is a deeper irony, too. For decades, Iran has perfected the art of proxy warfare – arming militias, striking from the shadows, disclaiming responsibility. Now it is Trump who is adopting the same mask. While Israel prosecutes the war, the US disclaims formal involvement, speaks of diplomacy, and keeps its options open, even stretching the window of opportunity further, as if to show every option was exhausted before the military one. This is not accidental. It is a mirror held up to Tehran: ambiguity for ambiguity, deniability for deniability, escalation without fingerprints. Of course, there remains the possibility that Trump has already made the decision to strike. The two-week timeline may be another layer of misdirection, a final bluff before action. By appearing to postpone military involvement, he may be preserving a sliver of surprise, enough perhaps to disorient the already weakened Iranian defences before a sudden American entry. Alternatively, though less likely, the US may enable Israel to deliver the final blows using American materiel and planes, while Washington maintains the fiction of distance, pleasing the isolationist wing of Trump's own party. Yet a different risk lingers. In mirroring Iran's tactics of delay and obfuscation, Trump may find himself entangled in the very dynamic he seeks to exploit. Tehran has spent decades perfecting the art of dragging out negotiations – talks with Europe, talks without Europe, rounds in Geneva, in Oman, in Vienna – each encounter buying time, deflecting pressure, restoring control. The regime knows this terrain intimately. It uses negotiations not to yield but to endure: to rearm, to suppress dissent and to live another day in service of its apocalyptic vision of regional domination. Trump's ambiguity may unsettle Iran, but it may also give them room to recalibrate, stall, and reassert. For Iran, the message is simple: time may yet be short, and the man who claims to be waiting may already have moved.
