Steam billowed from a vent as protesters gathered near the White House on Saturday, demonstrating against recent US and Israeli military strikes on Iran. The dramatic scene unfolded just hours before former President Donald Trump made a significant announcement regarding diplomatic developments.
Trump Announces Iranian Agreement for Talks
On Sunday, Donald Trump revealed that Iran's political leadership has agreed to enter negotiations, following coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel that targeted the country's military and political infrastructure. These operations resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking officials.
"They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them," Trump told a reporter from the Atlantic magazine. He expressed frustration with the timing, stating, "They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long."
Details Remain Unclear Amid Ongoing Operations
Trump declined to specify when these discussions would occur, telling the Atlantic's Michael Scherer, "I can't tell you that." He noted the complicating factor that many Iranian officials previously involved in negotiations had been killed in the strikes. "Most of those people are gone. Some of the people we were dealing with are gone, because that was a big hit," Trump explained.
The former president defended the decisive military action, implying it was long overdue. "People have wanted to do it for 47 years. They've killed people for 47 years, and now it's reversed on them."
Strike Casualties and Military Progress
In separate interviews with Fox News and CNBC on Sunday, Trump provided additional details about the operation's impact. He claimed 48 leaders had been killed in the strikes and described US military operations in Iran as "ahead of schedule."
"It's moving along rapidly. Nobody can believe the success we're having, 48 leaders are gone in one shot," Trump told Fox News. "This has been this way for 47 years. It's moving along rapidly."
These brief interviews followed Trump's earlier comments to the Washington Post shortly after the strikes began, where he stated, "All I want is freedom for the people. I want a safe nation, and that's what we're going to have."
Cautious Optimism About Public Response
When questioned about potentially prolonging bombing campaigns to support popular uprisings in Iran, Trump remained noncommittal. "I have to look at the situation at the time it happens," he said. "You can't give an answer to that question."
Despite expressing confidence in successful public demonstrations, noting celebrations both within Iran and among Iranian expatriates in the United States, Trump issued a cautionary note. "Knowing it's very dangerous, knowing I've told everybody to stay in place – I think it's a very dangerous place right now. The people over there are shouting in the streets with happiness, but at the same time, there are a lot of bombs coming down."
The developments come amid ongoing protests near the White House, where demonstrators have gathered to voice opposition to the military actions against Iran. The situation remains fluid as diplomatic and military maneuvers continue to unfold.
