US President Donald Trump said Monday night that he seeks a "real end" to the nuclear problem with Iran – not a ceasefire. In a CBS report that quoted Trump during his departure from Canada at midnight, it was reported that he would enter the White House situation room Tuesday morning to closely monitor developments in the Middle East.
The president clarified that he had not approached any party for ceasefire talks: "I have not reached out to Iran for "Peace Talks" in any way, shape, or form. This is just more HIGHLY FABRICATED, FAKE NEWS! If they want to talk, they know how to reach me. They should have taken the deal that was on the table - Would have saved a lot of lives!!!"
"I didn't say I was looking for a ceasefire," Trump said on Air Force One. "I want a real end" with Iran "giving up entirely" on its nuclear program. He also said that given the situation, he prefers to be at the White House – where he can be "well updated" and not rely on phone calls. When asked if he would send United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance to talks with Iran, he replied, "I may, it depends what happens when I get back."
Regarding his call for Tehran's evacuation, Trump explained that he "wants people to be safe." According to him, if Iran attacks American forces, the US will "come down so hard if they do anything to our people." On the question of whether he received response options from the Pentagon and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in case of an Iranian attack, he refused to answer. He added that the small team might still be updated, but "it's not necessary."
Shortly before, Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a "cease fire" between Israel and Iran. Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!"
An American source told CNN Monday night that although nothing has been decided, Israel and Iran are moving in the right direction and revealed that the Iranians had been in contact with the US through intermediaries earlier Monday.
Meanwhile, the US firmly denied that it intends to join Israel in an attack on Iran. "American forces are maintaining their defensive posture, and that has not changed. We will defend American interests," wrote Alex Pfeiffer, White House spokesperson, on X.
We'll soon know if tonight's theatrics are signaling or real. If the former, it will get in the Iranian leaders' heads, and maybe help find the diplomatic off-ramp. But they will have to concede to accept zero enrichment and shut down the program.
— Dan Shapiro (@DanielBShapiro) June 17, 2025
Meanwhile, former US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro published a post on X in which he addressed the movement of American forces in the Middle East and the significance emerging from the move.
