Trump Extends Olive Branch to Iran: "Ready When You Are" for Nuclear Deal Negotiations

President Donald Trump extended an offer of negotiation to Iran during his address to the Israeli Knesset, stating that "the hand of friendship and cooperation is open."

In his speech to the Israeli parliament on Monday, the US President declared America's readiness to engage in a nuclear deal with Iran whenever Tehran decides to come to the table.

Before the outbreak of the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June, which saw American forces striking Iranian nuclear facilities, Tehran and Washington had conducted five rounds of nuclear negotiations.

These talks encountered significant challenges, particularly regarding uranium enrichment on Iranian soil. Western powers have advocated for reducing this to zero to eliminate weaponization risks, a proposal that Iranian officials have consistently rejected.

"We are ready when you are and it will be the best decision that Iran has ever made, and it's going to happen," Trump remarked regarding a potential agreement with Iran.

Addressing the Israeli Knesset, Trump emphasized, "The hand of friendship and cooperation is open. I'm telling you, they (Iran) want to make a deal... it would be great if we could make a deal."

On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi indicated openness to a "fair and balanced" American proposal concerning Iran's nuclear program, though he noted that Tehran had not yet received any concrete negotiation starting points.

"If we receive a reasonable, balanced, and fair proposal from the Americans for negotiations, we will certainly consider it," Araqchi stated on state television, adding that communication between Tehran and Washington had been occurring through intermediaries.

Trump was received in Israel on Monday and addressed the Knesset before his scheduled visit to Egypt for a summit focused on establishing conditions for lasting peace in Gaza.

Araqchi declined to participate in the Egyptian summit, writing on X: "While favouring diplomatic engagement, neither President Pezeshkian nor I can engage with counterparts who have attacked the Iranian people and continue to threaten and sanction us."