U.S. President, Donald Trump expressed skepticism on Monday, April 14, over the pace of nuclear negotiations with Iran, suggesting the country may be intentionally dragging out the process.
“We had a meeting with them on Saturday. We have another meeting scheduled for next Saturday. I said, ‘That’s a long time.’ You know, that’s a long time. So I think they might be tapping us along,” Trump said during a press conference at the White House alongside El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele.
Trump reiterated his administration’s stance that Iran must abandon all ambitions of developing nuclear weapons.
“Iran has to get rid of the concept of a nuclear weapon. They cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he stated.
Following Saturday’s meeting in Oman, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told state media that both parties had come “very close” to establishing a framework for further negotiations. However, Trump voiced concerns over the extended timeline and questioned Iran’s intentions.
“I think they’re tapping us along because they were so used to dealing with stupid people in this country,” he said.
The president emphasized that negotiations must move quickly, warning that Iran is “fairly close to having” a nuclear weapon. He again raised the possibility of military action if diplomatic efforts fail.
“If we have to do something very harsh, we’ll do it,” Trump said.
Tensions remain high, with Tehran warning that any attack on Iranian territory could escalate into a broader regional conflict involving the United States.