Donald Trump says ‘too late’ for Iran to negotiate as Russia warns of ‘catastrophe’; Israel strikes Tehran for 6th day

Israel-Iran War: On Wednesday, Donald Trump said Iran’s negotiators had suggested they “may come to the White House,” though he acknowledged it was too late. The US president also hinted at ‘something big’ next week, insinuating that he was at the tail of patience regarding the ISrael Iran conflict. Meanwhile, the Kremlin announced that the US and Russia have been in contact over the Middle East crisis, warning that Israeli strikes on Iran targeting nuclear sites have pushed the world ‘millimetres away from a catastrophe’.

Israel Launches Fresh Attacks on Iran For 6th Day

A series of powerful explosions rocked eastern Tehran on Wednesday afternoon, marking the sixth day of escalating conflict between long-standing adversaries Iran and Israel, an AFP journalist reported. Around 3:50 pm local time, at least five plumes of smoke were visible across the east and southeast areas of the Iranian capital following the blasts.

Israel says it has struck 40 sites in Iran today, including centrifuge production and weapons facilities, while Iran launched a swarm of drones at Israel.

Iran's Internal Security Headquarters Destroyed?

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that air force jets had destroyed Iran's "internal security headquarters" after the army announced it was striking military targets in Tehran.

"Air Force jets have just destroyed the internal security headquarters of the Iranian regime -- the main arm of repression of the Iranian dictator," Katz said in a statement, vowing to "strike symbols of governance and hit the Ayatollah regime wherever it may be".

US-Russia in Talks: ‘Millimetres Away from Catastrophe’

Russia and the US are in contact regarding the Israel-Iran conflict, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

He earlier warned that direct US military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Iran and Israel has raged for six days.

A short while ago, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the world is “millimetres away from catastrophe” due to daily Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Donald Trump to Strike Iran?

The US president has been speaking to reporters on the lawn of the White House. Asked if the US was moving closer to striking Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump replied, “I can’t say that … You don’t seriously think I’m going to answer that question.”

“You don’t know that I’m going to even do it. You don’t know. I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do,” he said.

“I can tell you this – Iran’s got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate. And I said, ‘Why didn’t you negotiate with me before – all this death and destruction.’ Why didn’t you negotiate? I said to the people, ‘Why didn’t you negotiate with me two weeks ago? You could have done fine. You would have had a country.'”

Donald Trump said Iran’s negotiators had suggested they “may come to the White House,” though he acknowledged it was difficult.

Iran Denies Negotiation Intention With US

Iran denied Donald Trump’s claim that Iranian officials asked for a meeting at the White House. “No Iranian official has ever asked to grovel at the gates of the White House. The only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to ‘take out’ Iran’s Supreme Leader,” said the Iran mission to the UN on X.

“Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance,” it said, echoing previous remarks from Ali Khamenei who said Iranians “do not answer well to the language of threat”.

‘Next Week Will be Big’: Trump

On Wednesday, speaking to reporters from the White House lawn, US President Trump issued tough words for Iran amid the conflict with Israel, warning, "I've had it, next week will be big."

He added he was unsure “how long” the conflict would continue, noting Iran’s air defences had been “decimated.”

“Two very simple words: unconditional surrender,” Trump said. “I’ve had it.”

Donald Trump also expressed distrust in Iran’s nuclear intentions, saying he believes the country harbours “bad intentions” with its programme.

Despite his hardline stance, Trump noted he is fond of Iranians and has met many over the years.

Death toll from Israel-Iran Conflict

The death toll from Israel’s attacks on Iran has risen to more than 240, including 70 women and children. More than 24 people have been killed in Iranian attacks on Israel.