Trump Touts Future Direct Talks with Iran, Sit-In Over Suspended Hijab Bill Dispersed, UN Extends Human Rights Investigations, and More
Read all about these stories in this week's Iran Unfiltered, a digest tracking Iranian politics & society by the National Iranian American Council
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Following threats to bomb Iran earlier in the week, if diplomacy fails, President Trump took a softer tone on Thursday. In conversation with reporters on Air Force One, President Trump suggested that Iran is open to direct diplomacy, which would be his strong preference.
“I think it’s better if we have direct talks. I think it goes faster, and you understand the other side a lot better, than if you go through intermediaries. They wanted to use intermediaries, I don’t think that’s necessarily true anymore. I think they’re concerned, I think they feel vulnerable, and I don’t want them to feel that way.” When asked about if Iran communicated their desire via letter, Trump stated, “Forget about letters, I think they want to have direct talks.”
Earlier in the day, U.S. journalist Laura Rozen had reported that Iran was open to indirect negotiations with the U.S. at first, but that “Iran will go for direct talks” if progress is made. Citing an Iranian source, Rozen indicated that the talks may commence at first without publicity.
