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Donald Trump Says He’ll Be ‘Indirectly’ Involved in High-Stakes Iran Nuclear Talks in Geneva
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would be involved “indirectly” in high-stakes nuclear talks between the United States and Iran scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, expressing optimism that Tehran is prepared to negotiate.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would be involved “indirectly” in high-stakes nuclear talks between the United States and Iran scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, expressing optimism that Tehran is prepared to negotiate.
“I’ll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they’ll be very important,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Tensions Rise Before Talks
The comments come amid heightened regional tensions, with the US deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. According to US officials cited by Reuters, the military is preparing for the possibility of a sustained campaign if diplomatic efforts fail.
Asked about the prospects for a deal, Trump said Iran had previously taken a hardline stance in negotiations but had faced consequences last summer when US forces bombed Iranian nuclear facilities.
“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” he said.
Standoff Over Uranium Enrichment
Before US strikes in June, negotiations had stalled over Washington’s demand that Tehran halt uranium enrichment on its soil — a move the US considers essential to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons capability.
“We could have had a deal instead of sending the B-2s in to knock out their nuclear potential. And we had to send the B-2s,” Trump said, referring to the stealth bombers used in the strikes.
His remarks contrast with statements made last week in which he floated the possibility of regime change in Iran.
Iran’s Position
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Geneva on Monday, stating he was there to achieve a “fair and equitable deal.”
“What is not on the table: submission before threats,” Araqchi posted on X.
The IAEA has been urging Iran to clarify the status of its 440 kg stockpile of highly enriched uranium following Israeli-US strikes and to resume full inspections at key nuclear sites, including Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, which were bombed in June last year.
Strait of Hormuz and Regional Risks
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for any attack — a move that could disrupt roughly one-fifth of global oil flows and sharply increase crude prices.
Tehran conducted military drills in the vital waterway on Monday, while Gulf Arab states have urged diplomacy to de-escalate the crisis.
Major Obstacles Remain
Despite Trump’s assertion that Iran wants a deal, major sticking points remain. Washington is seeking to broaden negotiations to include Iran’s missile programme and other non-nuclear issues. Tehran insists talks must focus solely on nuclear curbs in exchange for sanctions relief and has rejected any demand for zero uranium enrichment.
Speaking during a visit to Hungary, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said reaching an agreement would not be easy.
“I think that there’s an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement … but I don’t want to overstate it either,” Rubio said. “It’s going to be hard.”
The outcome of the Geneva talks could significantly shape regional security dynamics and global energy markets in the months ahead.
