The remarks were made aboard Air Force One as Trump prepared for the high‑profile discussions, which come against a backdrop of rising tensions and intense diplomatic pressure.
“I’ll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they’ll be very important,” Trump said, signaling Washington’s continued engagement in the effort to resolve long‑running disputes over Iran’s nuclear program.
The planned negotiations aim to address issues that have stalled diplomacy for years, especially Tehran’s uranium enrichment activities that Washington fears could pave the way for nuclear weapons development. Trump said he believed Iran wanted a deal, suggesting that Tehran may be motivated by a desire to avoid serious consequences if talks fail.
Tensions in the region remain high. The United States has deployed a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East and U.S. military officials are preparing for the possibility of a sustained campaign if diplomacy does not succeed.
Last year, the U.S. and Israel conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, actions Trump referenced as a factor that may now influence Iran’s willingness to negotiate.
Iran’s delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, has emphasized that negotiations should focus on nuclear issues in exchange for sanctions relief, and that Tehran is committed to a “fair and equitable deal.” Araghchi has also called for respect and fairness in talks, rejecting any approach based on coercion.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is pressing Iran to clarify what happened to its stockpile of enriched uranium and to allow full inspection access at sites damaged during the previous year’s strikes.
Iran also staged a military drill near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, underscoring the potential for escalation if negotiations break down.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the diplomatic path as challenging but said there was still an opportunity to reach a deal though success would depend on both sides’ willingness to compromise.
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