Trump Signals Iran Talks After Attack, US Soldiers Killed

The specter of war in the Middle East looms large as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran resume. Following a period of heightened conflict – including reported strikes against Iranian targets and the deaths of key Iranian figures – President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to engage in talks with Iran’s new leadership. This comes after two days of attacks that reportedly resulted in the deaths of top Iranian officials, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The situation remains fluid and fraught with uncertainty.

“They want to talk, and I’ll talk,” President Trump told The Atlantic. “They should have done it before. They should have given what was very practical and simple to do before. They waited too long.”

When asked whether the conversation with Iran would take place this Sunday or Monday, Trump responded: “I can’t share you that.”

The President also noted that some of the Iranians who participated in negotiations in recent weeks are no longer alive: “Most of those people are no longer. Some of the people we were dealing with are no longer, because it was a sizeable hit. They could have made a deal. They should have made a deal before.”

Regarding the duration of the strikes against Iran pending a popular uprising, Trump avoids committing: “I have to see what the situation is at the time. You can’t answer that question.”

“That’s going to happen,” he asserts about the possibility of a revolt in Iran: “Knowing it’s very dangerous, knowing I’ve told everybody to stay where they are, I think right now it’s a very dangerous place. People are screaming joy in the streets, but at the same time, a lot of bombs are falling.”

“People have been wanting to do this for 47 years. They’ve been killing people for 47 years, and now it’s turned on them,” Trump insists.

Three US Soldiers Dead

At least three U.S. Military personnel have died in combat during the attack on Iran, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command on X.

“Three U.S. Service members have died in combat and five were seriously wounded as a result of attacks in the region. Several others sustained minor injuries from shrapnel and concussions, and are in the process of returning to duty. Significant combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing,” the statement reads, which does not specify the circumstances or location of the deaths.