Politics

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he would take an "indirect" role in the important discussions between Iran and the U.S. regarding Tehran's nuclear program, scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva. He expressed his belief that Iran is eager to reach an agreement. "I’ll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they’ll be very important,” Trump stated to reporters aboard Air Force One. Tensions are rising as the U.S. has sent a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. U.S. military officials informed Reuters that they are preparing for a potential long-term military action if the negotiations fail. When asked about the chances of a deal, Trump mentioned that Iran had previously adopted a tough negotiating stance but learned the risks of that strategy last summer when the U.S. targeted Iranian nuclear sites. He implied that this time, Tehran is inclined to negotiate. “I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump remarked. Before the U.S. airstrikes in June, discussions on the nuclear issue had stalled due to Washington's insistence that Iran abandon its enrichment activities, which the U.S. sees as a route to developing nuclear weapons. “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 noted, referring to the stealth bombers involved in the strikes.