Trump says US is not negotiating with Iran, expects a settlement "very soon"
In short
US President Donald Trump told White House pool reporters that Washington is not currently negotiating with Iran. He said something would happen "very soon" and that the conflict would be settled "one way or another". Interfax added that Trump did not say what he meant.
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US President Donald Trump said Washington is currently not holding negotiations with Iran. According to RIA Novosti and Interfax, he gave the answer to journalists, and RIA Novosti said it was quoted by the White House pool. "No, I suppose we are not negotiating with them," he said, in RIA Novosti's rendering. TASS reported the same statement in a short item. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
RIA Novosti reported that Trump added the conflict with Iran would soon be settled "one way or another". Interfax quoted him as saying that something would happen soon, "very soon", and that most people think it will happen after the elections, and "we will see what happens". Interfax noted that the president did not specify what he was referring to. [ 2 , 3 ]
According to Interfax, Trump also said Iran has "no money" and that the US destroyed its army, air force and navy. Interfax added that overnight into Thursday Trump told journalists in Washington that he considers the decision to carry out a military operation against Iran one of his main achievements. "With Iran, that was one of my most outstanding decisions. We did not allow nuclear weapons to appear there," he said. [ 3 ]
Interfax also reported that the New York Times, citing sources, said US and Israeli military officials have prepared plans to resume strikes on Iran after the November midterm elections to Congress. Earlier on Wednesday, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Al Jazeera that neither Israel nor the US plans joint action against Iran before the midterms, Interfax said, adding that the president had also said so in recent weeks. [ 3 ]
RIA Novosti gave background: the US and Israel began striking targets in Iran on 28 February, and Iran responded with its own strikes. In mid-June Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum on ending hostilities, but they later exchanged strikes again. RIA Novosti said the conflict remains unresolved. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
By Trump's account, there are no active US-Iran talks while the conflict remains unresolved. Interfax also reported that the New York Times, citing sources, said plans exist to resume strikes after the November midterm elections, while a White House deputy press secretary said neither the US nor Israel plans joint action before the vote.
Key facts
- Trump said the US is currently not negotiating with Iran, according to TASS, RIA Novosti and Interfax. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- RIA Novosti reported that Trump said the conflict with Iran would soon be settled "one way or another". [ 2 ]
- Interfax quoted Trump as saying something would happen "very soon" and that most people think it will be after the elections; he did not say what he meant. [ 3 ]
- Interfax reported Trump said Iran has "no money" and that the US destroyed its army, air force and navy. [ 3 ]
- Interfax reported the New York Times, citing sources, said US and Israeli militaries have prepared plans to resume strikes on Iran after the November midterm elections to Congress. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- What Trump meant by "something will happen very soon". Interfax reported that the president did not specify what he was referring to.
- Whether strikes on Iran will resume after the November midterm elections. Interfax cited a New York Times report based on unnamed sources about such plans, while White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Al Jazeera that neither Israel nor the US plans joint action before the midterms; no document confirms what will happen afterwards.
- The claim that Iran has "no money" and that its army, air force and navy were destroyed. This is Trump's own statement as reported by Interfax alone.