US President Donald Trump threatens Iran with severe consequences if a nuclear deal is not reached, while Israeli PM Netanyahu expresses skepticism about any potential agreement.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with “very traumatic” consequences if it fails to agree to a nuclear deal.

Speaking a day after hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said he hopes for a result from negotiations “over the next month.”

“We have to make a deal, otherwise it’s going to be very traumatic, very traumatic,” Trump told reporters. “This will be very traumatic for Iran if they don’t make a deal.”

He recalled US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during a war last year and warned of a “very tough” phase two if no deal is reached.

Netanyahu, who traveled to Washington to push for a harder line, expressed “general skepticism regarding the quality of any agreement with Iran.”

He stated any deal must address Iran’s ballistic missile programme and support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Despite their differences on Iran, Trump signaled strong personal support for Netanyahu. He criticized Israeli President Isaac Herzog for rejecting a request to pardon the prime minister on corruption charges.

“You have a president that refuses to give him a pardon. I think that man should be ashamed of himself,” Trump said.

Talks between Washington and Tehran restarted last week after being cut short by the Israel-Iran war. Iran has so far rejected expanding the discussions beyond its nuclear programme.

 The Sun Malaysia