Former U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that the United States may not remain a bystander in the escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, and said he would consider allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin to act as a mediator.
In a previously undisclosed interview with ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott, Trump stated, “It’s possible we could get involved,” while also clarifying that the U.S. was “not at this moment” directly participating in the conflict. The interview took place amid rising tension in the Middle East, where Israel and Iran have been locked in reciprocal airstrikes for three consecutive days.
Trump also addressed the ongoing nuclear discussions with Tehran, insisting that negotiations had not stalled despite the violence. “They’re talking. They continue to talk,” he said, adding that Iran “would like to make a deal,” and that the current crisis “may have forced a deal to go quicker, actually.”
The former president revealed that he had discussed the conflict with Putin, who expressed a willingness to mediate. “He is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it,” Trump noted, signalling a possible role for Moscow in de-escalating the conflict.
While Oman, a long-time go-between in U.S.-Iran nuclear diplomacy, announced the cancellation of a planned sixth round of talks due to the ongoing violence, Trump maintained that lines of communication remain open. When asked if there was a deadline for negotiations, he responded, “No, there’s no deadline.”
As the conflict intensifies and casualties grow, Trump’s remarks point to a possible shift in U.S. engagement and a broader diplomatic chessboard, with Russia potentially stepping in as a broker and nuclear talks hanging in the balance.
