Trump's Iran Decision Hinges on Last-Ditch Talks Led by Kushner and Witkoff

Trump's decision to order airstrikes against Iran will hinge in part on the judgment of Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, about whether Tehran is stalling over a deal to relinquish its capacity to produce nuclear weapons, according to people familiar with the matter.

The US president has not made a final determination on any strikes, as the administration prepares for Iran to send its latest proposal this week, in advance of what officials have described as a last-ditch round of negotiations scheduled for Thursday in Geneva.

The talks led by Witkoff and Kushner will shape Trump's calculus as he weighs whether to order the attack, which would mark a major escalation in tensions between the US and Iran. The president has said he is willing to use military force to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, but has also expressed a desire to avoid a broader conflict.

The negotiations will be closely watched by US allies, who have urged Trump to pursue diplomatic solutions. European leaders have warned that a military strike could have devastating regional consequences and have called for continued efforts to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump abandoned in 2018.

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated in recent months, with Iran accused of attacking oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and Trump nearly ordering strikes in June 2019 in retaliation for the downing of a US drone. The president called off that attack at the last minute, citing concerns about potential casualties.

The upcoming talks in Geneva will be a critical test of whether the US and Iran can find a diplomatic off-ramp to avoid a potentially catastrophic military confrontation. Witkoff and Kushner will play a key role in determining if a deal is possible before Trump makes a final decision on any strikes.

The stakes couldn't be higher, as a miscalculation or escalation could quickly spiral out of control and draw the US into a new conflict in the Middle East. Trump has sought to avoid such an outcome, but faces growing pressure from hawkish advisers and members of Congress to take decisive action against Iran.

The upcoming talks will test whether the US and Iran can find a diplomatic solution before the window for a negotiated settlement closes. Witkoff and Kushner's assessment of the talks will be crucial in shaping Trump's decision-making, with the president facing a momentous choice that could have far-reaching consequences for the US, Iran, and the broader Middle East region.