Trump: ‘Today is day 61’, says Iran failed to act, hints at what comes next

The Israeli offensive, code-named Rising Lion, began on Friday morning and was described by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an operation that would “go on for as many days as it takes.” The developments put renewed pressure on Trump’s long-standing campaign pledge to avoid foreign wars and focus on an “America First” agenda.

What is the 60-day deadline?

The 60-day deadline refers to a time limit set by President Trump for Iran to reach a new nuclear agreement. Trump first mentioned the deadline in a private letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier this year.

Talks between US and Iranian officials began on April 12, marking the start of the countdown. According to Trump, the 60-day mark passed on Thursday, June 11.

Speaking to CNN’s Dana Bash, Trump said: “Iran should have listened to me when I said—I gave them a 60-day warning, and today is day 61.”

US officials had been aware that pressure was mounting as the deadline approached. While some still hoped negotiations would continue beyond the 60 days, Friday’s Israeli strikes have left the future of the talks unclear.

Trump defends US role and praises Israeli attack

While Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US was not involved in the operation and its main concern was protecting American forces, Trump gave the Israeli action his full support.

“They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as you’re going to get hit,” Trump told ABC News. “There’s more to come. A lot more.”

On Truth Social, Trump claimed Iran had been given “chance after chance” to make a deal and blamed Iranian hardliners for choosing confrontation.

“They didn’t know what was about to happen. They are all dead now, and it will only get worse,” he wrote.

US moves military assets in response

In response to possible Iranian retaliation, the Pentagon has moved two Navy destroyers closer to the Eastern Mediterranean. The USS Thomas Hudner was among the ships repositioned, officials told the Associated Press(AP).

There are currently around 30,000 American troops in the Middle East. That number had increased to over 40,000 last year amid repeated attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

US personnel and dependents at military bases in the region have also been authorised to leave as a precaution.

Future of nuclear talks uncertain

Despite Trump’s hardline message, some officials have not given up on diplomacy. US special envoy Steve Witkoff still plans to travel to Oman this weekend to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme. However, it remains unclear whether Iranian representatives will attend after the latest escalation.

For now, President Trump has made clear that he sees this moment as a turning point. “There has already been great death and destruction,” he posted. “But there is still time to stop it.”