The United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump has turned to yet another major challenge, alongside unfulfilled promises to quickly bring peace to Gaza and Ukraine.
This challenge could be just as difficult – to contain Iran’s escalating nuclear program.
His administration is planning a second round of talks with Iran on Saturday in Rome, which few thought possible after years of hostility since the first term of the Republican president when he withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and launched a “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign.
Although no one rules out the potential for progress after last weekend’s meeting in Oman, negotiators are downplaying any expectations of a swift breakthrough in the decades-long dispute.
Discussion of the elements of a potential framework nuclear agreement is in an early stage among Trump’s aides, said a source informed about the White House meeting with Trump on Tuesday. The two sides could reach a temporary deal before a more detailed agreement.
Adding to regional tensions surrounding the diplomatic efforts is Trump’s repeated threat to bomb Iran’s nuclear sites if no deal is reached.
That would mean that Trump, who in his inaugural speech on January 20th promised to be a “peacemaker,” could push the U.S. into a new conflict in the Middle East.
Trump said on Thursday that he is not in a hurry to strike Iran, emphasizing that negotiations are his first option.
“If there is another option, I think that would be very bad for Iran,” Trump said during a meeting at the White House with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
He stated that he thinks Iran wants to talk and that it “would be good for them.”
Heading the U.S. negotiating team is Steve Witkoff, Trump’s friend and real estate investor with no prior diplomatic experience, whom some analysts have dubbed the “administration’s envoy for everything.” He has been tasked with reaching a deal with Iran alongside ending the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
At the table will be the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Abbas Araghchi, a negotiator whom some Western diplomats worry will take advantage of Witkoff’s lack of expertise.
“Having to balance Gaza and Ukraine and Iran would be a challenge for anyone,” said Jonathan Panikoff, former deputy U.S. national intelligence officer for the Middle East, regarding Witkoff’s task.
Witkoff has one characteristic negotiating advantage: his direct line to Trump, which should signal to the Iranians that they are getting Trump’s positions from someone he trusts.
It remains to be seen whether that will help the administration’s efforts to reach a deal, Klix.ba writes.
