Conservative commentator Bill O’Reilly said on Monday that it was becoming increasingly clear that the Trump administration would not be able to change the Iranian regime as a result of war.
“It’s becoming increasingly clear to the Trump administration that they’re not going to be able to change the regime unless they send 10,000 ground troops to Iran, and that’s never going to happen,” O’Reilly told NewsNation’s Leland Witt on “Balance.”
“So, the idea is that we’re going to make a deal that will include inspectors doing inspections to make sure they don’t have enriched uranium, they don’t have ballistic missiles and a bunch of other stuff in exchange for easing economic sanctions on Iran,” he added.
President Trump said on Monday that U.S. strikes against Iran’s energy infrastructure would be halted for five days after “very smooth” and “productive” talks with Iran’s leaders. Trump said on his Truth social platform that the United States and Iran “have had conversations over the past two days regarding a complete resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.”
Iran denies it is talking to the United States, but it has reached out to third countries to seek an end to the war.
The U.S.-Israeli conflict against Iran has been approaching a month, and many Americans disapprove of this action. In a new CBS/YouGov poll, 60% opposed conflict and 40% supported it.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Trump saw an opportunity to reach a deal with Iran following a phone call between the two leaders.
Netanyahu said on the social platform
Netanyahu reportedly hopes a strike against Iran will spur regime change and is trying to convince Trump that such a revolution is possible. Trump, however, was vague on whether the existing Islamic regime should remain in place after the war.
While Trump initially called on Iranians to rise up once the war ends, he has recently downplayed the possibility of overthrowing Iran, given the certainty of violence against anti-government protesters.
Trump said the United States may be willing to work with those in the current regime who are willing to meet U.S. demands for reform and reduction of nuclear and military threats.
Special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are reportedly leading the U.S. in talks with Iran to end the war, while Trump is sending thousands of additional troops to the Middle East and considering possible actions to take control of Iran’s key oil hub of Kharg Island.
Although Iran denies it is participating in the talks, the figure leading its diplomacy is reportedly Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad-Baghr Ghalibaf.
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