Trump Calls for Direct Talks with Iran Over Nuclear Deal, Warns of Military Action
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his desire for “direct talks” with Tehran regarding the nuclear deal, issuing a stark warning of potential military action if Iran continues to advance its nuclear weapons program.
Trump has set a two-month timeline for Iran to engage in negotiations concerning its nuclear activities, which have been a long-standing point of tension between Iran and Western countries.
Western nations, including the United States, have accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, a claim that Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear efforts are solely for peaceful purposes.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “I think it’s better if we have direct talks. I think it goes faster, and you understand the other side a lot better than if you go through intermediaries.”
However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated last week that Tehran would not engage in direct discussions with Washington unless there is a change in the U.S. approach toward Iran.
During his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama, reimposing harsh sanctions on Iran. The original deal, which involved world powers, required Iran to scale back its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
Trump further emphasized, “They wanted to use intermediaries. I don’t think that’s necessarily true anymore. I think they’re concerned, I think they feel vulnerable. I donβt want them to feel that way. I think they want to meet.”
In recent weeks, Trump revealed he had written to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging nuclear talks and warning of military action if Tehran refuses. Trump set a two-month deadline for Iran to agree to a new nuclear deal.
Tehran, however, has agreed only to indirect talks, rejecting direct negotiations under what it considers a “maximum pressure” U.S. policy.
Khamenei responded by stating that U.S. threats would be futile, and he warned of retaliatory actions if the U.S. takes any aggressive steps against Iran.
In a recent statement, Trump stated that “there will be bombing” if Iran does not cease its nuclear weapons development. In a show of strength, U.S. B-2 bombers and warships have been deployed to the region.
