Trump Eyes Lasting Solution to Iran Nuclear Crisis amid Escalating Conflict

TEL AVIV/DUBAI, June 17 – U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire for a "real end" to the longstanding nuclear standoff with Iran, suggesting that high-level American envoys could be sent to engage with Tehran as hostilities between Israel and Iran enter their fifth consecutive day.

Speaking during his late-night departure from the G7 summit in Canada, Trump hinted at the possibility of dispatching U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance for potential talks. His remarks, shared by a CBS News correspondent on social media platform X, came as military tensions continued to rise.

Trump stated that Israel was unlikely to scale back its offensive, emphasizing, “You’re going to see over the next couple of days. No one’s backed down yet.” Despite the intensifying conflict, Washington insists that Trump remains committed to pursuing a nuclear agreement with Iran.

G7 leaders have jointly called for de-escalation, labeling Iran a destabilizing actor in the region and reaffirming that it must never acquire nuclear arms. The group also acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense.

Trump left the summit early, denying it had anything to do with ceasefire efforts between Israel and Iran—despite French President Emmanuel Macron's claims that the U.S. was behind a ceasefire proposal. On his Truth Social account, Trump rejected Macron’s remarks, calling them inaccurate and stating his return to Washington was for more significant matters.

The Israeli military initiated its campaign with a surprise strike that reportedly eliminated much of Iran’s top military leadership and nuclear scientific personnel. Claiming control over Iranian airspace, Israel has pledged to intensify its operations.

Trump reiterated his firm stance against Iranian nuclear weapons: “Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I’ve said it time and again. Everyone should evacuate Tehran now!”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reported launching a fresh barrage of missiles at Israel. A senior military official also warned of an imminent drone strike. According to Iranian news agency Nournews, three people died and four were injured in an Israeli attack on Kashan, while explosions and air defense fire were reported in Tehran and Natanz, where key nuclear facilities are located.

Iranian officials said doctors and nurses were called back from leave due to the crisis. In Lorestan province, 21 fatalities were blamed on internal sabotage, not direct Israeli strikes.

Global oil markets remain tense amid fears the conflict could disrupt supply. Near the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE coast guard responded to a collision between two vessels, evacuating 24 crew members from oil tanker ADALYNN. Although unrelated to the conflict, the incident raised alarm given the region’s strategic role in global oil transport.

Shipping sources indicated a recent increase in GPS signal interference in the Gulf, affecting commercial navigation.

Israel announced it had eliminated Iran’s wartime chief of staff and targeted multiple Iranian military installations, including missile sites and weapons depots. Iranian authorities report 224 civilian deaths, while Israel reported 24 civilian casualties. Nearly 3,000 Israelis have been displaced due to Iranian strikes, according to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Sources revealed that Iran has asked Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to mediate and persuade Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into accepting a ceasefire. In return, Iran would show flexibility on nuclear issues.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on X that if Trump is serious about diplomacy, his next actions are critical, insisting that Iran’s military response will persist unless Israel halts its attacks.

Tehran maintains that its nuclear ambitions are purely peaceful and within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In contrast, Israel, not a signatory to the NPT, is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, though it has never officially confirmed this.

As the conflict deepens and Israeli airspace remains closed, the Chinese embassy in Tel Aviv urged its nationals to leave the country through land borders immediately.

The situation escalated further on Monday as Israel struck Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told the BBC that the Natanz facility suffered significant damage, possibly destroying 15,000 centrifuges, while Fordow remains operational.