Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has once again warned that if military action is needed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, the United States will not hesitate to take such a step. Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump emphasized that Israel would play a key role in any potential military response and would likely lead such operations.
“We want progress and prosperity for Iran,” Trump said, “but our only demand is that the country must not obtain nuclear weapons.” He made the remarks as his special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Whitkoff, began talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman on Saturday, aimed at reaching a potential nuclear agreement.
Responding to a question about the ongoing talks, Trump stated, “We don’t have much time. That’s why we won’t allow Iran to gain access to nuclear weapons. But we want to see progress.”
He added, “The Iranian people are good and intelligent… but they are in a difficult situation under a harsh regime.”
Trump also said, “We’re not asking for much. We’ll just wait patiently.”
According to the U.S. State Department, the meeting in Oman is intended solely to assess the possibility of future negotiations. While the U.S. has described the meeting as direct, Iran maintains that the talks are indirect.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday (April 9) that the negotiations will be indirect and held in accordance with the guidance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Addressing employees of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Pezeshkian emphasized, “We are ready for talks, but not direct ones, because we don’t trust them… We negotiate indirectly, with dignity and pride. We are not building a nuclear bomb, and we are ready to provide any guarantees to prove that.”
Previously, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also stated that the U.S. had accepted the format of indirect negotiations.
In contrast, President Trump earlier this week told media—during a joint appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House—that the talks are direct. He warned that if Saturday’s negotiations fail, Iran will face “serious danger.”
Following Trump’s remarks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated on Tuesday that the talks are indeed direct. She stated, “As President Trump has emphasized, if the Iranians do not commit to diplomacy and continue down the path toward an agreement—which we believe they are currently exploring—they will face severe consequences.”
