Istanbul: U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, stating that he “should be very worried” as negotiations between the two nations face increasing uncertainty. This remark comes as Trump has ordered a significant military buildup in the region, aiming to pressure Iran into returning to the negotiating table.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the President’s comments were released in excerpts from an interview with NBC News, where he emphasized the current state of Iranian affairs, attributing the country’s turmoil to U.S. actions. Trump highlighted past military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities during the Iran-Israeli conflict in June as pivotal in maintaining peace in the Middle East.
A report from news website Axios earlier on Wednesday revealed that the U.S. had rejected Iran’s demands to alter the venue and format of the planned talks, originally set for Friday. The discussions, expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions, were scheduled to occur in Muscat, Oman, despite previous plans for Istanbul, Trkiye.
The Axios report cited an unnamed senior U.S. official who stated, “We told them it is this or nothing, and they said, ‘Ok, then nothing.'” The official added that the U.S. remains open to meeting if Iran agrees to the original format.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also commented on the situation, noting that the venue for talks was still under negotiation. He stressed the importance of addressing key issues, including Tehran’s ballistic missile program, regional activities, and human rights record.
Efforts to mediate the conflict have seen several countries, including Trkiye, offer assistance. Oman, known for its role as a mediator in indirect communications, has been suggested as a potential venue for the talks. The ongoing tension underscores the broader accusations by the U.S. and Israel that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies, asserting its program is for peaceful purposes.