April 9, 2025 : Amid rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, a national security expert has warned that the country could face large-scale bombing raids and the risk of a drawn-out conflict if it refuses to engage in direct talks with the United States. The warning came as US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with “great danger” if it blocked efforts to negotiate, Daily Express (UK) reported.
Trump said a direct meeting between American and Iranian officials had been planned for Saturday in Oman. However, Tehran contradicted the claim, insisting that any discussions would be routed through an intermediary.
“We’re having direct talks with Iran, and they’ve started. It’ll go on Saturday,” Trump said from the Oval Office, adding, “We have a very big meeting, and we’ll see what can happen. And I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and if the talks aren’t successful, I actually think it will be a very bad day for Iran,” Trump added.
According to the Daily Express report, the US has been strengthening its military presence in the region, with a second aircraft carrier strike group en route to the Middle East and B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, deployed to the Indian Ocean base of Diego Garcia, within range of Iranian targets.
Dr Oz Hassan, Reader in National Security at the University of Warwick, told the UK publication that Trump could follow through on his threats. “The risk of military escalation is very real if tensions rise again,” he said.
Hassan said, “A small, targeted strike—perhaps on a nuclear site—might send a message but wouldn’t do much to stop Iran’s nuclear programme.”
Summary: A report warns of a “very real” threat of bombing Iran if Donald Trump proceeds with his proposed nuclear negotiations, raising global geopolitical concerns.