Trump says he will participate in the Iran nuclear discussions, but only in a backseat role
Iran’s civil defense organization conducted a chemical response exercise on Monday at the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone, aiming to enhance readiness for possible chemical emergencies within the key energy complex.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would be “indirectly” involved in talks between Iran and the US on Tehran’s nuclear program, which begin in Geneva on Tuesday, and said he believes Tehran wants a deal.
“I will be indirectly involved in those talks. And they will be very important,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Tensions are rising ahead of the talks as the US deploys a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. US officials have told Reuters that the US military is preparing for the possibility of a sustained military campaign if talks fail.
Asked about expectations for a deal, Trump said Iran wanted tough negotiations but learned the consequences of such a tough stance last summer when the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites.
Trump said the Iranians were motivated to negotiate this time.
“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump said. Before the US joined Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear facilities in June, Iran-US nuclear talks had stalled over Washington’s demand that Tehran stop enrichment on its soil, which the US considers a path to Iran’s nuclear weapons.
Iran’s Civil Defense Organization conducted a chemical defense drill in the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone on Monday to strengthen preparedness for chemical incidents in the energy hub in southern Iran.
