Israel to attack Iran if no nuclear deal is reached by October - Al-Hadath

Iran's air defenses protecting the country's nuclear sites in Isfahan
Iran's air defenses protecting the country's nuclear sites in Isfahan

If Tehran fails to reach an agreement with the Trump administration before October, Israel will launch a military attack on Iran, Al-Hadath reported citing a senior European diplomat.

"The Trump administration is trying to reach an agreement with Iran before October. However, if this agreement is not achieved, the region will face a serious crisis," the diplomat said.

The senior diplomat cited by Al-Hadath said the United States is seeking direct and confidential negotiations with Iran.

On February 4, Trump signed a directive reviving his so-called maximum pressure policy on Iran from his first term aimed at driving the Islamic Republic's oil exports to zero. After signing the memorandum, he said he would prefer a deal with Tehran to an Israeli attack on their nuclear sites.

"I would love to make a deal with them without bombing them," he said on Fox News.

The European diplomat cited by Al-Hadath said the Islamic Republic is weaker than ever and is desperate to negotiate.

"Iran will accept any agreement that includes the lifting of sanctions," the diplomat said, adding that Tehran is waiting for the Trump administration to appoint a negotiator.

In his Fox News interview, Trump said that Iran is terrified after losing almost all its air defenses and now would love to make a deal with the United States.

"Iran is very concerned. Iran is very frightened, to be honest with you, because their defense is pretty much gone," Trump said.

He was apparently referring to Israel's October attacks on Iran which, according to US officials, knocked out the country's last three Russian-provided S-300 air defense missile systems.