US President Trump says Iran is ‘seriously talking to us’ as Tehran indicates progress on a framework for negotiations
United States and Iran have confirmed opening lines of communication to work out a deal and avoid military action to avoid tension in the Gulf. US President Donald Trump told reporters on that Iran was “seriously talking” with Washington, hours after Iran’s top national security official said arrangements for negotiations were progressing. While talking on board Air Force One, said he believed Iran should agree to a deal with “no nuclear weapons” but that he did not know if Tehran would sign up to such an accord. “But they are talking to us,” he said. “Seriously talking to us.” He also referred to the US “armada” heading towards Iran, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, saying “we do have very big, powerful ships heading in that direction”.“I hope they negotiate something that’s acceptable,” he added. Senior Iranian leaders have said they are open to negotiation with Washington, but only once Trump stops threatening to attack the country. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also hit back, saying in a social media post that the US military, operating off Iran’s shores, “is now attempting to dictate how our Powerful Armed Forces should conduct target practice on their own turf”.
