Islamabad [Pakistan], April 15 (ANI): US-Iran peace talks may shift to Pakistan‘s capital, with President Donald Trump indicating that the next round of negotiations “could be happening over the next two days” in Islamabad after the stalemate in phase one of negotiations prompted Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports, according to reports cited by The New York Post and Khaleej Times.
In an initial telephonic interview, Trump said the ongoing discussions were “happening, but, you know, a little bit slow,” while suggesting that a second round of direct negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing seven-week conflict would likely be held in Europe.The remarks by Trump came after reports had circulated online purportedly claiming that the location for negotiations was being changed.
However, shortly after, Trump called back with a revised update.”You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” he said of Islamabad. “It’s more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job.”He was referring to Pakistan‘s Field Marshal Gen.
Asim Munir, with whom he reportedly developed a rapport last year during heightened tensions involving India and Pakistan, which later de-escalated after a brief four-day conflict that the US helped mediate.”He’s fantastic, and therefore it’s more likely that we go back there,” he said. “Why should we go to some country that has nothing to do with it?””I just think he’s a great guy. That guy. The field marshal. You know he ended the war with India, saved 30 million people,” he added.
Trump also clarified that he would not personally participate in the proposed second round of negotiations and did not name who would represent the United States.Meanwhile, he expressed dissatisfaction over reports suggesting that Washington had sought Iran’s agreement to pause uranium enrichment for at least two decades following unsuccessful talks over the weekend.
“I’ve been saying they can’t have nuclear weapons”, he said, “so I don’t like the 20 years.”When asked whether such a long moratorium could help secure a deal, Trump said, “I don’t want them [Iran] to feel like they have a win,” The New York Post quoted.
On the diplomatic front, retired Pakistani Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed, who is said to be involved in facilitating the talks, stated that Tehran had shown “flexibility” on the contentious issue of uranium enrichment, which had repeatedly stalled negotiations.However, Trump cautioned that Iran would need to present any compromise in a politically acceptable manner domestically.”
Iran has to be able to take something back to its people that doesn’t look like a surrender,” said Saeed, describing the Islamic Republic’s need to frame any compromise as being made “in the golden trust of the people.”Contrasting this, Mohammad Marandi, who accompanied the Iranian delegation in Islamabad, adopted a firm stance, stating, “A blockade won’t change Iran’s position,” and adding that “ending enrichment will not be accepted,” The New York Post reported. (ANI)
Trump claims Iran agreed to give “nuclear dust” back to US
Washington DC [US], April 17 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) claimed that Iran has agreed to return its “nuclear dust” to the United States, asserting that the understanding comes as part of broader assurances from Tehran, as part of the peace deal, not to pursue its ambition to acquire a nuclear weapon.Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump emphasised that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a top priority for his administration.”It is very important that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon. And they’ve agreed to that.
Iran‘s agreed to that and they’ve agreed to it very powerfully,” he said.”They’ve agreed to give us back the nuclear dust that’s way underground because of the attack we made with the B2 bombers. We have a lot of agreement with Iran, and I think something’s going to happen very positively,” the US President added.The remarks come amid diplomatic engagements between Tehran and Washington in order to achieve a complete halt to the hostilities in West Asia, as the fragileceasefire continues between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Trump said it remains unclear whether the ceasefire with Iran will be extended, even as he expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations and indicated that the next round of talks could take place over the weekend.Responding to a question on extending the ceasefire, President Trump said, “We’re doing very well. I can tell you, maybe it’ll happen before that. I’m not sure it needs to be extended. Just so you know, Iran wants to make a deal, and we’re dealing very nicely with them. We’ve got to have no nuclear weapons. If we do, that’s a big factor, and they’re willing to do things today that they weren’t willing to do two months ago.”
He added that the US is currently focused on concluding a deal with Iran, suggesting that progress in talks could make an extension unnecessary.
“We’re focused so much right now on Iran, seeing if we can get that completed, and I think we’re going to be in very good shape. And I think if you look, the stock market is good, the oil prices are coming down, and it’s looking very good that we’re going to make a deal with Iran. And it’s going to be a good deal, it’s going to be a deal with no nuclear weapon,” Trump said.On the timeline for further negotiations, the US President indicated that the next in-person round may happen soon.”Probably maybe over the weekend,” the US President added. (ANI)
“We’re gonna have victory very shortly,” says US President Trump, claims Iran “has no Navy left”
Las Vegas (Nevada) [US], April 17 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) said that the United States is heading towards “victory very shortly” against Iran while making strong remarks on military developments involving Iran and past US operations in the region.Speaking during an event here, Trump suggested progress in ongoing strategic actions and claimed significant degradation of Iranian capabilities.”
And I said, we’re in there for two months, and you know what? We’re gonna have victory very shortly,” he said.He described Iran as a “tough, smart country” while asserting that its military capacity had been severely reduced.”And against a very tough, smart country. These people were fighters, and you know, I don’t want to claim it before the fact, but they (Iran) have no Navy left. 158 ships at the bottom of the sea. 158, think of it,” Trump said.
Trump also referred to past US military actions targeting Iranian commanders, including Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force.”They had one named the Soleimani. You know Soleimani? We took him out. He was the worst, one of the worst terrorists in the history of this country, this world,” he said.He alleged that Soleimani was responsible for attacks on US personnel and referenced wounded American soldiers.”They killed many of our people. Many of our people have been killed. When you see a young soldier mostly going around without legs, without arms, with a face so badly injured, it was Soleimani that did that,” Trump said.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions in West Asia and ongoing diplomatic and security developments involving the United States and Iran, including ceasefire-related negotiations and maritime security concerns.Earlier, President Trump on Thursday said it remains unclear whether the ceasefire with Iran will be extended, but expressed optimism that a deal could soon be reached, with the next round of talks likely over the weekend.”We’re doing very well. I can tell you, maybe it’ll happen before that.
I’m not sure it needs to be extended. Just so you know, Iran wants to make a deal,” Trump said, adding that “we’ve got to have no nuclear weapons.”He said progress in negotiations could make an extension unnecessary. “We’re focused so much right now on Iran… and I think we’re going to be in very good shape,” he said, adding that “it’s looking very good that we’re going to make a deal with Iran.”On the timeline, he added, “Probably maybe over the weekend.”Trump reiterated that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains the key goal. “If there’s no deal, fighting resumes,” he added. (ANI)
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