President Trump says the U.S. will hold direct talks with Iran starting Saturday as he insists Tehran can’t get nuclear weapons. Follow live updates:

President Trump says the U.S. will hold direct talks with Iran starting Saturday as he insists Tehran can’t get nuclear weapons. Follow live updates:

 

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will engage in direct talks with Iran starting Saturday, signaling a shift in the U.S.’s approach to its long-standing tensions with Tehran. The president has repeatedly emphasized his firm stance on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, framing the upcoming discussions as crucial for regional and global security.

 

Trump’s announcement comes amid growing concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, with the U.S. and its allies suspecting that Tehran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons capabilities. Despite years of diplomacy, including the landmark 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), relations between the two nations have soured significantly since the U.S. withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under Trump’s administration. The decision to withdraw from the deal was a controversial move, as it led to the re-imposition of heavy economic sanctions on Iran, severely impacting the country’s economy.

 

Since then, Iran has gradually moved away from some of the deal’s restrictions, increasing its uranium enrichment levels and expanding its nuclear activities. These actions have fueled tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both sides engaging in hostile rhetoric and military maneuvers in the region, particularly in the Persian Gulf. However, Trump’s recent remarks suggest a potential breakthrough, as he pushes for direct dialogue to address the nuclear issue and reduce the risk of conflict.

 

In his statement, Trump reiterated that the United States will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, a stance that has been central to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. The president emphasized that while the U.S. is open to negotiations, it is unlikely to ease the pressure of sanctions unless Iran makes significant concessions. The U.S. has long demanded that Iran halt its nuclear program entirely and take steps to ensure that it remains peaceful in nature.

 

The timing of this announcement is significant, as it coincides with increasing instability in the region, particularly with the ongoing conflict in neighboring countries like Iraq and Syria. Some analysts suggest that Trump’s decision to pursue direct talks with Iran is an effort to de-escalate tensions and avoid a larger military confrontation, which could have devastating consequences for both sides. Furthermore, the move could be seen as part of Trump’s broader strategy to secure a diplomatic legacy, especially as he approaches his re-election campaign.

 

The possibility of direct talks between the U.S. and Iran has been met with mixed reactions. While some international leaders have welcomed the development, hoping it could lead to a peaceful resolution to the nuclear standoff, others remain skeptical about Iran’s willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations. Tehran has consistently called for the removal of sanctions as a precondition for talks, but Trump has made it clear that he will not lift sanctions unless Iran makes significant strides toward dismantling its nuclear program.

 

The outcome of these discussions remains uncertain, but the announcement marks a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy, with the potential to reshape the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape. As the talks are set to begin, world leaders and diplomats are closely monitoring the situation, hoping that dialogue will pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the tensions that have plagued the U.S.-Iran relationship for decades.

 

Follow live updates as this developing story unfolds.