Washington, DC [USA], June 21 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Friday downplayed European diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, asserting that Tehran is more interested in direct talks with the United States than with European nations.
“Iran didn’t want to speak to Europe, they want to speak to us,” Trump told reporters, dismissing a three-hour meeting between Iranian officials and the foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany held in Geneva earlier in the day. The talks concluded without any breakthrough, despite European leaders’ calls for diplomacy to prevent a broader regional war, CNN reported.
Trump expressed skepticism about Europe’s role in mediating the conflict, adding, “Europe is not going to be able to help.”
The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its eighth consecutive day on Friday, marked by intensified missile exchanges between the two nations. Iran launched a fresh barrage of missiles at several Israeli cities, including Haifa and Beersheba. In Beersheba, a missile strike damaged several buildings, including a medical center that had been largely evacuated. In Haifa, one of around 35 missiles hit an abandoned building, causing significant damage to nearby structures, including a mosque.
In response, Israel announced retaliatory strikes on missile production facilities and a research center linked to Iran’s nuclear program, further escalating tensions.
Though President Trump has publicly stepped back from immediate military retaliation and left a two-week window open for negotiations, he maintained his position as a self-styled “peacemaker.” Still, he emphasized that any meaningful resolution must come through direct US-Iran dialogue.
“Only direct talks between the US and Iran can lead to a resolution,” Trump said. “Europe is not going to be able to help.”
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the idea of resuming nuclear negotiations with the US during the European-led meeting in Geneva. He insisted that diplomacy could resume “once the aggressor was held accountable for the crimes committed,” CNN reported.
When asked whether the United States would pressure Israel to pause its military operations, Trump signaled reluctance.
“It’s very hard to make that request right now,” he told reporters traveling with him to New Jersey. “If somebody is winning, it’s a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing. But we’re ready, willing, and able, and we’ve been speaking to Iran, and we’ll see what happens.”
This comes just days after Trump revealed that he would decide within two weeks whether to take direct action against Iran. His administration has confirmed ongoing communications with Tehran, though it remains unclear whether these are through direct or backchannel methods.
Despite mounting global pressure for de-escalation, the US president appears focused on maintaining a strategic advantage and minimizing American involvement while preserving room for direct negotiations with Iran. (ANI)
About The Author
