PARIS: President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that time is running out for Iran to come to the table and avoid US military action, prompting Tehran to retort that it would respond to any attack “like never before”.
As Trump issued another threat, his top diplomat Marco Rubio said the Iranian leadership was at its weakest ever point and Germany’s leader Friedrich Merz predicted the Islamic republic’s “days are numbered” after this month’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.
Trump has not ruled out an attack after the protests that began in late December and peaked on January 8 and 9, in which a rights group said more than 6,200 people were killed.
In June last year the US carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during Israel’s 12-day war against the Islamic republic.
In his latest post on Truth Social, Trump did not mention the protests but said Iran needed to negotiate a deal over its nuclear programme, which the West believes is aimed at making an atomic bomb.
“Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal — NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS — one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!” said Trump.
“The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again,” he added, referring to American strikes against Iranian targets during the June war.
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