Witkoff warned of mass casualty Iranian response to Israeli attack - Axios

Speaking at White House press conference, Trump said an Israeli attack on Iran was possible but that he hoped for a negotiated solution to the nuclear impasse.

Responding to reporter's question, Trump said, "Well I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen."

"I'd love to avoid a conflict. Iran's going to have to ... give us some things that they're not willing to give us right now," Trump said. Tehran and Washington remain at loggerheads over whether Iran can keep enriching uranium on its own soil.

Trump added the two sides are "fairly close to a pretty good agreement," but struck an ambivalent note about the impact of a potential Israeli strike.

"As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them (Israel) going in, because I think that would blow it. Might help it actually, but it also could blow it."

Israel is weighing a potential attack on Iran within days, ABC News reported on Thursday citing three sources familiar with the situation.

The network cited the sources as saying they were unaware of any specific US role but added it was possible the United States could share intelligence or support logistics.

A sixth round of US-Iran nuclear talks is due to convene in the Omani capital Muscat on Sunday, in what could be a decisive moment for the war-weary region.

Trump on Thursday cited the possibility of a potential "massive conflict" in the region for drawing down US personnel from the Middle East, a day after US officials said the embassy in Baghdad would be partially evacuated.

"There's a chance of massive conflict. We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said we've got to tell them to get out, because something could happen soon," Trump said. "I don't want to be the one that didn't give any warning and missiles are flying into their buildings."

"He's going to drag us into a war"

Iranian rhetoric had ratcheted up on Wednesday as Defense Minister Aziz Nassirzadeh said Tehran would strike American bases in the region if nuclear negotiations fail and conflict breaks out.

"Some officials on the other side threaten conflict if negotiations don't come to fruition. If a conflict is imposed on us... all US bases are within our reach and we will boldly target them in host countries," Nassirzadeh said during a press conference.

Iranian officials also bristled at a resolution passed against it at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday finding Tehran non-compliant with proliferation obligations.

The move put the Islamic Republic further at odds with the United Nations nuclear watchdog which inspects its nuclear facilities and would be a key player in any deal.

Meanwhile a prominent Democratic lawmaker urged the US Defense Secretary not to allow Israel to embroil the United States in a conflict and unsuccessfully sought to extract a pledge from Pete Hegseth not to strike Iran unless attacked.

"Will you commit to us not bombing (Iran) ... unless we're directly hit?" California representative Ro Khanna asked at a House hearing on Thursday.

"Would you agree ... that Netanyahu is itching for a fight? If Netanyahu uses American missiles to hit Iran, he's going to drag us into a war there," Khanna added.

The remarks were a rare public intervention by a Democratic lawmaker on Trump's Iran policy.

Hegseth said Trump sought peace but understood what he called the Iranian threat.

"The President has been earnestly and completely committed to a peace process. He's given Iran every opportunity, those talks are ongoing, but he also fully recognizes the threat that Iran poses."

"We are fairly close to a pretty good agreement. It's got to be better than pretty good, though. I'd much prefer an agreement," US President Donald Trump told reporters in the White House on Thursday.

"As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them (Israel) going in, because I think that would blow it. Might help it actually, but it also could blow it. But we've had very good discussions with Iran. Whether or not we get there, I can't tell you, but it'll happen soon."

Trump cited the possibility of a potential "massive conflict" in the region for drawing down US personnel from the Middle East.

"There's a chance of massive conflict. We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said we've got to tell them to get out, because something could happen soon. And I don't want to be the one that didn't give any warning and missiles are flying into their buildings."

US President Donald Trump suggested at a White House press conference on Thursday that an Israeli attack on Iran was possible.

Responding to reporter's question, Trump said, "Well I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen."

"Look, it's very simple, it's not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful. I want them to be tremendous. We'll help them be successful. We'll trade with them. We'll do whatever is necessary."

Trump said he aimed to avoid a conflict and sought peace.

"I'd love to avoid a conflict. Iran's going to have to negotiate a little bit tougher, meaning they're gonna have to give us some things that they're not willing to give us right now," Trump said.

"I've kept us out of wars ... I believe in peace through strength. We have the greatest military in the world."

The rare criticism, delivered during a June 11 meeting with members of the Majles, was widely seen as an attempt to rein in hardline MPs amid growing tensions with President Massoud Pezeshkian’s administration.

"Not all these questions are necessary. Not all these summonses are necessary," Khamenei said. "When you summon a minister to a commission, it takes up time—two, three hours. Reduce the number of these. Cooperation with the government means minimizing such actions."

His remarks come as the United Nations nuclear watchdog rebuked Iran over alleged proliferation failings, the resumption of UN sanctions looms and President Trump warned on Thursday of a potential Israeli attack and "massive conflict".

The comments come amid ongoing efforts by hardliners to derail Pezeshkian’s cabinet appointments. Conservative MPs have targeted his nominee for economy minister, Ali Madanizadeh, under a law barring dual nationals or officials with immediate family holding foreign citizenship from senior posts.

Khamenei asserted that the Majles retains the right to question and investigate, but keeps it to a necessary minimum and not bring political or ideological differences into open conflict.

“On fundamental issues, the country must speak with one voice. Our nation and all its institutions—our political class, our management structure—must act as one hand,” he said.

Iran faces a delicate moment in its foreign policy with US nuclear talks stuck in a rut, while the UN’s nuclear watchdog is expected to issue a resolution declaring Iran non-compliant.

Khamenei made no direct reference to the nuclear stand-off, but appeared to have it in mind when saying public clashes at this time were “more harmful than ever.”

Domestic front

In recent weeks, hardliners have also called for Vice Presidents Mohammad Reza Aref and Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah to resign under the same statute.

The hardline daily Hamshahri quoted MP Hamid Rasai insisting their cases were "more problematic" than that of former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who stepped down under similar pressure.

Khabar Online accused Rasai and his allies of weaponizing the law to obstruct the government, while parliamentary vice president Majid Ansari said Khamenei himself believes the law needs revision.

Meanwhile, several hardline MPs have filed formal complaints against former Economy Minister Abdolnasser Hemmati, who accused some parliamentarians of seeking bribes to halt his impeachment in March.

The IRGC-linked Javan daily warned the complaints could further damage public trust, while former MP Davoud Mohammadi defended political deal-making as standard practice.

Though sidelined from nuclear negotiations and broader foreign policy, parliament hardliners remain intent on asserting influence. But Khamenei’s intervention may complicate their efforts.

Israel is weighing a potential attack on Iran within days, ABC News reported on Thursday citing three sources familiar with the situation.

The network cited the sources as saying they were unaware of any specific US role but added it was possible the United States could share intelligence or support logistics.

A sixth round of US-Iran nuclear talks were still due for Sunday, ABC News quoted a source familiar with the plans.

"Senior Advisor and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff plans to travel to Muscat on Sunday for a sixth round of talks with Iran. Discussions are expected to be both direct and indirect, as in previous rounds."