U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new round of talks with representatives of Iran for today, after previously canceling a planned attack on the country.
According to Reuters, Trump said that negotiations with Iran would begin on Monday, but did not provide further details.
When asked by reporters aboard Air Force One on his return to Washington, Trump refused to set a deadline for reaching an agreement.
Late Saturday, on his social network Truth Social, Trump wrote that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had requested additional time to finalize an agreement that would lead to the “immediate, complete, and unconditional” reopening of the strait and “an end to the Iranian nuclear threat,” but stated that Tehran must “reach an AGREEMENT as soon as possible.”
Returning to Washington after a weekend spent in New Jersey, Trump told reporters on Sunday that negotiations would begin Monday afternoon, but did not provide details about where they would be held or who would participate.
When asked whether there was a deadline by which Iran should agree to the deal, Trump did not give a direct answer.
“Would I rather reach a deal? I don’t want to kill people, because people die, a lot of people die, and we don’t want that,” Trump said.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to escalate the war against Iran, which he, together with Israel, launched at the end of February, but has subsequently allowed additional time for negotiations, which so far have not led to a comprehensive agreement.
His apparent softening of stance, after several days of threats of new attacks from both sides, represents the latest twist in the war, Reuters notes.
Your perspective is part of the story
Read other perspectives and join the conversation.