WASHINGTON, April 8 — President Donald Trump announced that the United States would begin direct high-level nuclear talks with Iran, during a surprise statement at a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
WASHINGTON, April 8 — President Donald Trump announced that the United States would begin direct high-level nuclear talks with Iran, during a surprise statement at a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Saturday, Trump expressed optimism about reaching a new deal with Tehran but issued a stark warning, saying Iran would face “great danger” if negotiations failed.
Tehran, however, responded by stating the talks scheduled for Saturday in Oman would be indirect. “Iran and the United States will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect high-level talks,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on social media platform X, emphasizing that “the ball is in America’s court.”
Netanyahu, meanwhile, noted that Israel and the US were also working on a separate deal to secure the release of hostages in Gaza, where a ceasefire with Hamas, Iran’s regional ally, has collapsed.
“We’re dealing with the Iranians, we have a very big meeting on Saturday and we’re dealing with them directly,” Trump told reporters, following discussions initially focused on Israeli-US trade relations.
He did not reveal the location of the talks but stressed they would involve top-level officials, not intermediaries.
Trump’s announcement came just a day after Iran had publicly dismissed the idea of direct talks, calling it futile. The former president withdrew the US from the previous nuclear deal in 2018, and there are growing concerns that Israel—possibly with American backing—might take military action against Iran if no new agreement is reached.
“If the talks don’t succeed, Iran is going to be in great danger,” Trump warned. “They cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
Meanwhile, Russian, Chinese, and Iranian officials are set to meet in Moscow on Tuesday for consultations on the Iranian nuclear issue.
Trump’s declaration coincided with Netanyahu’s urgent trip to Washington—his second since Trump’s return to office—seeking relief from newly imposed US tariffs. The Israeli leader pledged to reduce the trade deficit and remove trade barriers, lifting the last remaining tariffs on US imports prior to the visit.
On Gaza, Netanyahu said new negotiations were underway to secure the release of more hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the ongoing conflict. Trump reiterated his controversial plan for the US to “control” the Gaza Strip, describing it as “a great piece of real estate.”
Although a joint press conference was scheduled, it was abruptly canceled without explanation. Instead, both leaders spoke to a smaller group of reporters in the Oval Office.
Netanyahu’s visit followed Trump’s announcement of a 17 percent tariff on Israeli goods as part of his “Liberation Day” trade initiative. Despite being the top recipient of US military aid, Israel was not exempted. Upon arrival, Netanyahu met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and later with Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. — AFP
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