Donald Trump announced that the United States is engaged in direct talks with Iran regarding its nuclear program. He warned that Iran would face "great danger" if these negotiations do not succeed. The President emphasized that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
During a press briefing at the White House, Trump stated, "We’re having direct talks with Iran, and they’ve started." He indicated that a significant meeting was scheduled for Saturday, expressing hope that an agreement would be reached. "I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable," he added.
Iran has previously resisted Trump’s insistence that it must negotiate or face potential military action. However, Trump mentioned that the discussions are happening "at almost the highest level," although he did not disclose the meeting’s location or participants.
He expressed optimism about the talks, saying, "Hopefully those talks will be successful; it would be in Iran’s best interests if they are successful." His comments came during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been vocal about his concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Trump’s approach marks a shift from his earlier stance, where he threatened military action against Iran. In March, he even reached out to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, suggesting the possibility of talks, although Iranian officials rejected the notion of being pressured into negotiations.
The announcement of these talks has raised eyebrows in Israel, where some media outlets described Netanyahu’s presence at the White House as a potential humiliation. Analysts suggest that Netanyahu may leave the meeting feeling concerned about the implications of U.S.-Iran negotiations without Israeli involvement.
Trump’s previous actions included withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal and reinstating sanctions, which led to Iran exceeding the deal’s limitations on uranium enrichment. While Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for civilian energy purposes, Western nations suspect it may have a hidden agenda.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on the upcoming meeting and its potential impact on regional stability and international relations.