Israel's attacks on Iran are thwarting US efforts for a new nuclear deal. Trump is being told he hasn't achieved anything. But he doesn't let any disappointment show.

Donald Trump expressed his admiration for the Israeli attack on Iran, saying the operation was"very successful," to put it mildly. And on his Truth Social network, the US president wrote:"There have already been many deaths and much destruction. But there is still a chance to end the carnage." Iran must now make a deal to stop the attacks.

However, the praise for the Israeli military action cannot disguise the fact that the attacks come at a very inopportune time for the United States. Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had begun negotiations with Iran on a new nuclear agreement. Talks were scheduled for Sunday. Because of the attacks, Iran has now canceled the talks for the time being.

Affront against the President

In a conversation with Republican senators, Witkoff reportedly expressed concern that Israeli bombings could trigger massive retaliation from Iran. The attack was a clear affront to the president, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said on CNN:"The president has urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to give diplomacy a chance." Now, they are disappointed that Benjamin Netanyahu carried out the massive attack anyway.

Even if that were the case, Trump and his team aren't letting it show. Whether and how the American government attempted to influence Israel remains unclear, however. When a television journalist directly asked Trump whether the American military was involved in the attacks, the president declined to comment.

Possible attacks on US military?

The concern now is that the Iranian backlash could also affect American forces stationed in the Middle East. And that the US could become embroiled in a new war in the Middle East. The risk of this has increased dramatically, said Democrat Kaine.

Overall, American diplomacy is currently presenting a weak image, said Wendy Sherman, Secretary of State under President Joe Biden, also on CNN:"We have a very weak strongman as president." He has so far achieved nothing in the pressing conflicts in Ukraine, Iran, or Gaza.

Democrat: Trump's dismissal in 2018 was a big mistake

The president, however, sees himself as being on top of the situation. The US has given Iran an ultimatum: a deal on the country's nuclear program must be reached within 60 days."Today is day 61," the president wrote on Truth Social."Now they—maybe—have a second chance."

For security expert Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution, this is precisely what must be the priority: the nuclear deal with Iran – even if it seems particularly difficult to achieve now. At the same time, he doesn't believe Iran will retaliate with particular force. However, at least symbolic actions by Iran, for example against military facilities, can be expected,"to show their displeasure and their belief that we are Israel's best friends."

From the Democrats' perspective, these new negotiations were unnecessary. In 2018, during his first term, Trump withdrew from the international agreement controlling Iran's nuclear program. The US must now deal with the consequences, said Democratic Senator Kaine:"President Trump made a big mistake by withdrawing from the agreement and thereby giving Iran the green light to enrich uranium." But it's never too late for diplomatic initiatives, he added.