Trump Weighs Further Action on Iran as US Maintains Secret Deportation Talks
President Trump suggests potential escalation against Iran while court documents reveal secret diplomatic efforts to deport Iranian detainees during the ongoing conflict.
By Amit Ricci ·
US President Donald Trump has indicated that the administration may need to take further action against Iran regarding its nuclear program, stating that he would prefer not to destroy the remainder of the country but might have to do so. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, the President addressed reports that Iranian negotiators are reviewing a new proposal to curb their nuclear activities. He asserted that Iran cannot proceed with any nuclear-related steps without US approval and emphasized that the goal is to ensure the country never acquires a nuclear weapon.
Trump noted that the US will soon make a decision on whether to go further and certify the agreement to prevent future nuclear development. He described the current situation as a point of decision, telling reporters that the public will know the outcome soon enough. These comments highlight the administration's hardline stance on the ongoing US-Iran war and the strategic calculations involved in managing the conflict.
New court documents obtained by the Associated Press reveal that the Trump administration held secret talks with Iran concerning the deportation of Iranian citizens even as the war continued. The unsealed filings show that as recently as mid-October, the Republican administration had plans to deport Iranians through an unnamed third country. Although the documents did not specify a timeline for these removals, they indicate that the government maintained contacts with Iran to submit travel documents and identify possible avenues for removal.
The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund, which brought the lawsuit leading to the release of these documents, stated that at least a dozen Iranian detainees held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been notified of their deportation over the past week. Some of these individuals were told the process could begin as soon as this coming Sunday. A judge in the case has ordered the government to provide 24-hour notice to the court of any finalized deportation plans and five days of written notice before any such removal is carried out.
The revelation that the US maintained diplomatic channels with Iran during the war underscores the administration's determination to enforce its immigration crackdown. This strategy has involved increasing removals, including to locations that critics argue could endanger the lives of returnees. The State Department, which generally does not comment on pending litigation or private diplomatic discussions, referred inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security, which had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
In related regional developments, Turkish legislators ratified a defense cooperation agreement involving Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The vote in the 600-seat Turkish parliament passed with 279 votes in favor and 119 against. The 16-article Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed in August, commits the three nations to treat an attack on one as an attack on all, share intelligence, and deepen military ties. This move comes as Riyadh seeks broader regional support in its conflict with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Opposition parties in Turkey objected to the agreement, arguing it could embroil the country in regional wars. Murat Emir, deputy leader of the opposition New Party, criticized the pact by suggesting it was intended to send Turkish soldiers to Yemen. However, Fuat Oktay, chairman of the parliament’s foreign affairs committee, stated that Turkey would not be drawn into an uncontrolled process against its will and that troop deployment would require future parliamentary approval. Officials in Ankara maintain that the agreement is defensive and that no Turkish troops would be deployed to fight in Yemen or attack the Houthis.
Meanwhile, polling data from the US midterm elections shows consistent political trends among Jewish voters. A survey commissioned by the J Street lobby found that 72% of Jewish voters supported Democratic congressional candidates, compared to 24% who backed Republicans. This represents little change from the 2024 election results. The poll, conducted by GBAO from October 28 to November 3, also found that 76% of respondents support sanctions against violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, while 80% believe Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank increase antisemitism in the US.
