CNN quoting a U.S. official: Witkoff has been working from the start to reach an agreement within the timeframe set by Trump and was not stalling

CNN quoting a U.S. official: Witkoff has been working from the start to reach an agreement within the timeframe set by Trump and was not stalling

In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel launched unprecedented strikes on Iran's nuclear program and military leaders on Friday, June 14, 2025. The attack, which took place on the 61st day of President Donald Trump's ultimatum to Iran, has sparked global concern and raised questions about the future of diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

According to CNN, the Israeli strikes were the culmination of years of meticulous planning and days of high-stakes talks between Tel Aviv and Washington. Despite the Trump administration's public projection of determination to pursue a diplomatic solution, Israel had privately warned the US that it had already decided to attack. The Israeli intelligence agency Mossad had been actively involved in planning the operation, with spies on the ground inside Iran and weapons smuggled into the country.

The US had a relatively clear picture of the scope of the Israeli operation, with intelligence officials receiving multiple updates daily and planning for different contingencies. However, the extent of the damage to Iran and how it would respond remained unknown. The US continued to argue after the strikes that the president is committed to salvaging the ongoing nuclear talks.

CNN quoting a U.S. official, Witkoff has been working from the start to reach an agreement within the timeframe set by Trump and was not stalling. This assertion is backed by the fact that Witkoff was in direct messaging with his Iranian counterpart in the talks and engaged in direct negotiations with Omani intermediaries. The initial proposal from the US tabled during the 5th round of talks in Rome was changing, indicating a genuine effort to reach a deal.

The strikes come as Iran has been making significant strides toward obtaining a nuclear weapon, despite the Trump administration's assertion that it could not obtain a nuclear weapon. The Israeli government has long viewed Iran's nuclear capabilities as a threat to its very survival and has been planning for an attack.

The attack has raised concerns about the potential for a broader Middle Eastern conflict, with the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, ordering the departure of non-essential personnel due to increased security risks in the region. The US has also been urging its allies to vote with it on an IAEA resolution declaring Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations.

The future of diplomatic efforts remains uncertain, with the US continuing to express optimism about the possibility of a deal. However, the rhetoric from Trump has become less optimistic, and US officials are beginning to believe that Iran is not going to accept a deal with the US terms.

References:
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/14/politics/israel-iran-attack-planning-trump