The United States has found itself in a difficult position following the Iranian torpedo into the negotiations that had been scheduled to take place in Switzerland, as according to CBS they are counterproposing a meeting in Washington on June 23 and 25 between delegations of the two countries.
So far, the Iranian side appears skeptical regarding the relevant proposal and has not commented on it publicly.
The difficult position of the American administration is also reflected in what Donald Trump stated on June 19 in his interview with Axios, as he admitted that the Iranians «would have blown up Israel» and that «if it weren't for me, Israel wouldn't exist today».
The American president characterized the leadership of Tehran as «very smart people», adding that «it's a form of primitive genius, but they are smart».
At the same time, the American president implied that the American forces would experience military crushing in a possible scenario of a ground invasion, since the Iranians «would retreat deep into caves».
However, serious concerns prevail in Washington regarding also the next moves of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the American intelligence services estimating that he is determined to undermine the efforts of the administration of Donald Trump toward shaping a long-term agreement with Iran, according to a CIA leak.
«We will solve everything within 60 days, otherwise we will unleash chaos»
At the same time, Trump spoke about the war with Iran and expressed the certainty that the United States will not need to repeat military action against Tehran.
He also hoped that the parties will resolve all issues within two months.
«And now we have an agreement signed last night: we have 60 days to reach an agreement. Otherwise, we will take measures that will not make them happy, but I don't think we will reach that point. I believe everything will go very well», stated the American leader during his speech at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington.
Reuters had previously published excerpts from the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.
The document states that the parties commit to agreeing on a final agreement within 60 days, but can extend this deadline upon mutual agreement.
Trump bombshell: The Iranians would have crushed us if we invaded with an army
More specifically, the American president Donald Trump, in his statements on June 19, referred to Iran, the war in the Middle East, and the consequences that a military escalation would have for the United States, commenting at the same time on the possibility of involving ground forces and the geopolitical balances in the region.
Referring to Iran and a potential landing of American troops, Trump argued that.
Trump on Iran:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 19, 2026
If I were hitting them right now, if we're not going to put boots on the ground, and you don't want boots on the ground, right?
If we're not going to put boots on the ground, probably the same people go deep into the caves. They're called granite caves. They're… pic.twitter.com/Br3A1sInvf
«If we hit them right now, and we're not going to put troops on the ground — and you don't want troops on the ground, right? — then probably the same people would retreat deep into caves. They call them “granite caves”. They are very strong».
According to him, in the event of a cessation of operations, the "old leadership would return to the forefront", while he noted that «the Strait of Hormuz would have been completely closed» in the event of an escalation.
As he stated, the region could fill with mines and missiles, resulting in «ships worth billions of dollars not being able to pass», while he added that «for months there would be no oil».
In a question by Axios journalist Marc Caputo regarding whether this constitutes regime change and a reference to the leader of Iran, Trump responded that. Mojtaba Khamenei is more moderate than his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei.
«The Iranians are geniuses» - «They would have wiped out Israel without the United States»
«Khamenei Jr. is different from his father. They are different people», he emphasized characteristically.
In another statement, Trump stated that.
«A short while ago I put out a post on Truth. I said that if I had raised the white flag of surrender and if they said “Glory to Allah, Trump is the greatest president, we surrender”, then the New York Times would write that they won the war».
Trump to Axios:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 19, 2026
The Iranians, very smart people. They're sort of primitive genius, but they're smart.
They would've blown up Israel.
If it weren't for me, Israel would not exist today. pic.twitter.com/titk06AQwo
Subsequently, speaking to Axios, Trump characterized the Iranians «very smart people», adding that «it's a form of primitive genius, but they are smart».
At the same time he argued that «they would have blown up Israel» and that «if it weren't for me, Israel wouldn't exist today».
The United States leaks proposal for negotiations with Iran on June 23 and 25 in Washington
It is pointed out that earlier, the U.S. State Department leaked that the possibility of holding talks with Iran in Washington, D.C., during the period between June 23 and 25 is being examined, namely during the same period in which the Israel - Lebanon talks have been scheduled in the American capital.
The discussions are still in a planning stage and there has been no official confirmation regarding their final date or format.
At the same time, the American Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to the State Department, hinted that the scheduled talks for next week between representatives of Israel and Lebanon will take place normally, following a telephone communication he had on Friday with the Lebanese president Joseph Aoun.
In a statement by the spokesperson of the State Department, Tommy Pigott, it is mentioned that Rubio emphasized that the bilateral Lebanon–Israel negotiations constitute «the only realistic path toward reconstruction, economic recovery, and the termination of the repeated cycles of violence».
As noted, the two sides discussed the next round of talks scheduled for June 23–25 in Washington, aiming for progress toward a lasting peace agreement between the two states.
At the same time, it is recalled that Hezbollah and Israel recently agreed to a ceasefire, mediated by the United States and other countries of the Middle East.
The organization, which is supported by Iran and operates in Lebanon, has not participated in previous rounds of negotiations and has rejected older agreements between the two sides.
Rubio, according to Pigott, also reiterated the need to «disarm Hezbollah and restore control over the entire Lebanese territory», while he underlined the importance of coordination with regional allies to advance these goals.
Vance (United States Vice President) bombshell: The solution of a new attack on Iran remains on the table
The United States may repeat military action in Iran, as stated by the Vice President of the United States J.D. Vance on June 19, according to RIA Novosti.
«This (military action, - editor's note Lenta.ru) is always on the table, we can always do it», he stated.
Vance explained that the United States is «taking a pause» in the conflict to defuse the pressure on the global economy and to see «if this group of Iranians running the country truly wants to do things differently from what they say they are doing».
«If they succeed, that's fine, and if not, we can always return to other options», concluded the Vice President of the United States.
It had been previously announced that the United States-Iran talks scheduled for Friday, June 19, in Switzerland would not take place.
Commenting on the cancellation, the American President Donald Trump stated that Iran is doomed and that the United States will not give the Islamic Republic even a dime under the framework of the conflict resolution agreement.
Sensational CIA leak: Israel has a plan to derail the United States - Iran Memorandum at any cost
Meanwhile, serious concerns prevail in Washington regarding the next moves of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as American intelligence services estimate that he is determined to undermine the efforts of the administration of Donald Trump toward shaping a long-term agreement with Iran.
According to a publication by the Washington Post, which cites current and former American officials, the American intelligence community considers that Israel is determined to continue military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite the commitments included in the agreement between the United States and Iran for a cessation of hostilities in the region.
Political survival and military escalation
The report allegedly concludes that, ahead of the upcoming elections for the Knesset in the autumn, the political survival of Netanyahu is directly linked to maintaining Israeli military forces in southern Lebanon.
At the same time, it is estimated that he seeks the further intensification of attacks against Hezbollah, in order to strengthen his profile in the domestic political scene.
These estimates seem to be confirmed by developments on the ground, as the Israeli armed forces launched new airstrikes in southern Lebanon immediately after the ceasefire entered into force.
Danger of a broader regional conflict
This escalation has already caused reactions in Tehran.
Iran postponed scheduled talks with the United States, sending a message of dissatisfaction regarding the Israeli actions in Lebanon.
Analysts warn that if Israel continues or expands its operations, Tehran may proceed with more direct moves, dramatically increasing the risk of a new, generalized flare-up in the Middle East.
Rift between Washington and Tel Aviv
The publication also highlights a deeper dimension of the crisis: the emerging conflict of strategic interests between Washington and Tel Aviv.
While the Trump administration appears to seek a new security architecture through an agreement with Iran, circles within the American intelligence services estimate that Netanyahu considers such a development a threat to his own political strategy and the regional plans of Israel.
Under this light, the continuation of operations in Lebanon is not treated simply as a military choice, but as part of a broader effort to overturn the diplomatic balances that Washington is attempting to shape with Tehran.
The coming weeks are expected to determine not only the course of the ceasefire, but also the future of American-Iranian relations and stability throughout the Middle East.
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