'Willing to attack': CNN reporter highlights 'key moment' from Trump interview
President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. may have to "attack" Iran's nuclear sites to prevent the Islamic Republic from building a nuclear weapon, according to a new report in TIME.
CNN's Alayna Treene discussed TIME's interview on Friday's Situation Room.
"He said that he would be open to meeting with Iran's supreme leader," Treene said, recounting the article's news-making highlights. "He also made it very clear that he's confident the United States can reach a deal with Iran to try and create some sort of nuclear deal, to avoid them from building up their nuclear facility."
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Treene emphasized "one very key moment" in the interview when Trump "said that he wouldn't let Israel drag him into a war with Iran, but that he would go willingly if a deal is not made. Essentially, saying he is very much willing to attack Iran's nuclear facilities if this deal is not struck."
In the TIME interview reviewing his first 100 days in office, Trump corrected a reporter who said, "You reportedly stopped Israel from attacking Iran's nuclear sites."
"No, it’s not right," Trump said. "I didn’t stop them. But I didn't make it comfortable for them, because I think we can make a deal without the attack. I hope we can."
Trump added, "It's possible we'll have to attack because Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. But I didn't make it comfortable for them, but I didn't say no. Ultimately I was going to leave that choice to them, but I said I would much prefer a deal than bombs being dropped."
Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to lead the U.S. team as talks with Iran get underway in Oman on Saturday.
