Speaking on Monday, Trump made the remarks as Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, travelled to the Swiss city ahead of indirect discussions with the US.
United States President Donald Trump has said he will play an “indirect” role in the second round of high-stakes nuclear negotiations between Iran and Washington in Geneva.
Speaking on Monday, Trump made the remarks as Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, travelled to the Swiss city ahead of indirect discussions with the US.
Tensions remain high in the Gulf region before the crucial talks. The US has deployed a second aircraft carrier to the area, while Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned that any attack on Iran would trigger a wider regional conflict.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Tuesday’s discussions were significant.
“I’ll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they’ll be very important,” he said, describing Iran as “a very tough negotiator.”
When asked about the chances of reaching an agreement, Trump said Iran understood the consequences of a hardline approach, referring to last June when the US joined Israel in a 12-day conflict with Iran and carried out strikes on three of its nuclear facilities.
Those attacks occurred during earlier indirect talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme and ultimately derailed the negotiations.
However, Trump suggested Iran may now be more willing to compromise. “I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” he said.
Despite his optimism, significant obstacles remain.
Washington has insisted that Tehran end uranium enrichment on its soil and has pushed to broaden the talks to include non-nuclear issues, such as Iran’s missile arsenal.
Tehran, however, maintains that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes and says it is only prepared to discuss limits on its activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Iranian officials have rejected any demand for zero uranium enrichment and insist that their missile capabilities are not open for negotiation.
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