US presses Iran to do a deal as Trump hints at US strikesREADY? The two sides recently resumed indirect talks, mediated by Oman, after Trump repeatedly threatened military action against Iran over a deadly crackdown on protesters last month. A previous attempt at negotiations collapsed when Israel launched surprise strikes on Iran in June last year, beginning a 12-day war that Washington briefly joined to bomb Iranian nuclear sites. Photo: EPA“Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with his administration,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. Speaking on Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted: “We do not want war,” but suggested Tehran could not give in to US demands.

Source: Taipei Times February 19, 2026 16:09 UTC