TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) – In a press conference on Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the latest talks over Iran’s nuclear program. However, he also indicated that he would give negotiators more time to reach a deal in order to avoid another war in the already volatile Middle East region. This statement comes after another round of indirect talks between the United States and Iran, which ended without any significant progress.
The ongoing negotiations between the two countries have been closely watched by the international community, with hopes of reaching a diplomatic solution to the long-standing issue of Iran’s nuclear program. The United States, along with its allies, has been pushing for a new deal that would address Iran’s nuclear activities and impose stricter restrictions on the country. On the other hand, Iran has been demanding the removal of harsh economic sanctions imposed by the United States in 2018, after the U.S. withdrew from the previous nuclear deal.
President Trump, who has been a vocal critic of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has been closely monitoring the negotiations and has repeatedly stated that he will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. In his press conference, he reiterated his stance, saying, “I’m not happy with the current state of the negotiations. We need to make sure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.”
Despite his dissatisfaction, President Trump also acknowledged the complexity of the issue and the need for more time to reach a deal. He said, “I understand that these things take time, and I’m willing to give the negotiators more time to come to a resolution. But I want to make it clear that we will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons under any circumstances.”
The U.S. envoys, led by Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley, have been engaging in indirect talks with Iranian officials in Vienna since April. The talks have been facilitated by the remaining parties of the JCPOA – the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China. The main challenge in the negotiations has been the sequencing of steps that both sides need to take in order to reach a new deal. The United States has demanded that Iran take the first step by complying with its nuclear obligations, while Iran has insisted on the removal of sanctions before any changes to its nuclear program.
Despite the lack of progress, there have been some positive developments in the talks. The United States and Iran have agreed to set up working groups to address specific issues, including the release of American prisoners held in Iran and the return of the United States to the JCPOA. This has been seen as a step towards building trust between the two countries and finding common ground to move forward.
The international community has also been closely following the negotiations, with many countries expressing their support for a diplomatic solution. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has stated that the talks are “moving in the right direction” and that there is a “realistic chance” of reaching a deal.
The possibility of a new deal has also been welcomed by the people of Iran, who have been suffering from the economic impact of the U.S. sanctions. Many Iranians hope that a new deal would bring relief from the crippling sanctions and improve their daily lives.
In conclusion, while President Trump has expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of the negotiations, he has also shown willingness to give the negotiators more time to reach a deal. The talks have been slow and challenging, but there is still hope for a diplomatic solution to the issue of Iran’s nuclear program. The international community and the people of Iran are looking towards a positive outcome, and it is crucial for both sides to continue engaging in constructive dialogue to achieve a peaceful resolution. As President Trump stated, “We must do everything in our power to prevent another war in the Middle East, and that includes finding a solution to the Iran nuclear issue.”
