In a recent interview with Time magazine, published April 25, 2025, President Donald Trump made it clear that he’s determined to keep the United States out of an unwanted war with Iran while ensuring the country does not develop nuclear weapons. His comments come at a critical time, as tensions in the Middle East remain high and Iran’s uranium enrichment program edges closer to weapons-grade levels.
A Firm Hand on Foreign Policy
Trump emphasized that he won’t let Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pull the U.S. into a conflict with Iran against its will. “He may go into a war. But we’re not getting dragged in,” Trump said, referring to Netanyahu’s push for airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. However, he didn’t rule out military action entirely, stating, “If we don’t make a deal, I’ll be leading the pack.” This suggests Trump is open to leading a U.S. response if diplomatic efforts fail, but he’s prioritizing negotiations for now.
The president denied reports that he blocked Israel from attacking Iran’s uranium enrichment sites, clarifying, “I didn’t make it comfortable for them, but I didn’t say no.” He expressed hope that a deal could avoid the need for violence, saying, “I would much prefer a deal than bombs being dropped.” Trump’s approach balances support for Israel’s security concerns with a cautious stance on escalating conflict.
Iran’s Nuclear Threat
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, which reported in February 2025 that Iran’s uranium enrichment is nearing weapons-grade levels. This development has raised alarms globally, with U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz warning, “We cannot have a world with the ayatollahs with their finger on the nuclear button.” Waltz stressed that Trump is prepared to use “all options,” including military strikes, to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has been vocal about his commitment to stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions, claiming his past actions delayed their program by a decade. In a recent video address, he declared, “I am committed to preventing Iran from attaining nuclear weapons … I won’t give on this, not a millimeter.”
Diplomacy in Action
Efforts to resolve the crisis through diplomacy are ongoing. U.S. and Iranian diplomats have been engaging in indirect talks in Oman and Europe, with a third round scheduled for April 26, 2025, led by State Department policy planning director Michael Anton. Special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been spearheading these discussions, emphasized the need to limit Iran’s uranium enrichment to 3.67%, far below the 20% to 60% levels Iran has reached. “This is going to be much about verification on the enrichment program,” Witkoff told Fox News, signaling that any deal must include strict oversight to ensure Iran cannot produce weapons-grade material.
Trump expressed optimism about the talks, noting “very good progress” and even openness to meeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei or President Masoud Pezeshkian. However, Israel remains wary, with reports suggesting it believes the U.S. may be nearing a “bad deal” that doesn’t fully address its concerns.
Blaming Biden’s Policies
In the Time interview, Trump sharply criticized former President Joe Biden, accusing him of enabling Iran’s aggression by relaxing sanctions. He claimed these policies allowed Iran to fund terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, contributing to the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 people, including 46 Americans. “When Biden came and he took off all the sanctions… they started funding terror again,” Trump said, arguing that his own administration’s tough sanctions had left Iran financially crippled and unable to support its proxies.
A Broader Vision
Beyond the Iran issue, Trump touched on other foreign policy goals, predicting that Saudi Arabia would soon normalize relations with Israel, building on the Abraham Accords from his first term. He also suggested that a deal to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict could involve Crimea remaining under Russian control, a controversial stance that reflects his pragmatic approach to global conflicts.
Looking Ahead
President Trump’s strategy on Iran blends diplomacy with a readiness to act decisively if talks fail. His insistence on avoiding an unwanted war while keeping military options open reflects the delicate balance he’s trying to strike. As negotiations continue and Iran’s nuclear program advances, the world watches closely to see whether Trump’s deal-making can avert a crisis—or if the U.S. will indeed “lead the pack” in a more confrontational approach.
