Trump Says He Will Participate Indirectly in US-Iran Nuclear Talks in Geneva

U.S. President Donald Trump stated he will participate "indirectly" in key negotiations between the United States and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program, set to begin Tuesday in Geneva.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he believes Iran wants to reach an agreement and has motivation to negotiate this time. "I will participate indirectly in these negotiations. And these negotiations will be very important," he added.

Tensions are escalating ahead of the talks, with the United States deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. U.S. officials told Reuters the military is preparing for a potential sustained campaign if negotiations fail.

Trump noted Iran's history of hardline positions in talks but said Tehran learned the consequences last summer when the U.S. bombed its nuclear sites using B-2 stealth bombers. "We could have had an agreement instead of sending B-2 bombers to destroy their nuclear capacity. And we had to send the B-2 bombers. I hope they are more reasonable," he said. "I don't think they want the consequences of no agreement."

Washington is pressing Tehran to abandon uranium enrichment, which it views as a pathway to nuclear weapons. Prior U.S.-Iran talks stalled last year over this demand before the June U.S. strikes.

Trump's remarks contrast with his Friday statements welcoming potential regime change in Iran and lamenting decades of failed negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met the IAEA director general Monday and posted on X that he is in Geneva for a "fair and just agreement." "What is not on the table: surrendering to threats," Araghchi said.