The New York Post<\/em>, Israeli officials remain concerned that Iran is negotiating in bad faith while continuing to advance its military capabilities underground.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTrump, however, insisted discussions remain productive despite repeated public denials from Iranian officials that direct negotiations are taking place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“For some reason, we can be in the midst of a beautiful discussion, and they’ll come out and say ‘We’re not talking or we didn’t discuss nuclear,'” Trump said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Well, that’s all we discussed because they’ll never have a nuclear weapon.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“They understand that, and we have had some very good talks.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Military Action Still on the Table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Although Trump expressed optimism about negotiations, he reiterated that military action remains an option if diplomacy fails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“If they don’t make a deal, then I go back, and I finish the job. But that’s going to take them forever to rebuild,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The president insisted that the United States possesses the capability to inflict significant damage on Iran’s infrastructure but that he is reluctant to target facilities that would primarily harm civilians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I could take out most of their bridges in less than an hour, less than an hour,” Trump said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It really decimates a country. So those are the big things. And then there’s always the desalination plants, and who am I hurting there? I’m hurting the people, so I’m not looking to do that. I just want, very simply, they cannot have a nuclear weapon.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing Tensions Between Allies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trump’s unusually public criticism of Netanyahu comes amid reports of increasing disagreements between the two longtime allies over Iran and broader Middle East strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The president had reportedly considered expanding military operations against Iran earlier this month before pausing the campaign on July 24 as negotiations resumed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Netanyahu traveled to Washington this week and was scheduled to attend a memorial service Tuesday afternoon honoring the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, with discussions on Iran expected to remain a central focus of meetings between the two leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n