Trump Warns Iran "Will Not Want the Consequences of a Failed Nuclear Deal"

U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks "Very Important"

U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 17th (local time) that the nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran scheduled to be held in Geneva would be "very important," adding that he himself would be indirectly involved in the talks.

According to the White House press pool, President Trump made these remarks on the 16th during a meeting with reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to the White House from Florida, warning, "I do not think they (the Iranians) would like the consequences if we fail to reach an agreement."

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Yonhap News

President Trump also recalled the U.S. military’s bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities in June last year, saying, "Instead of sending B-2 bombers to destroy their nuclear potential, we were able to reach an agreement," and then added, "I hope they will be more reasonable," and "They want an agreement."

The Trump administration, which is pushing to dispatch a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, has maintained a stance of prioritizing negotiations with Iran while making clear that it could resort to military action if the talks fail.

The United States and Iran resumed nuclear negotiations in Oman on the 6th. It was the first time in eight months that the two countries had faced each other over the nuclear issue since talks were suspended after Israel and the United States bombed Iranian nuclear facilities last year, but with disagreements persisting over Iran’s uranium enrichment, the prospects for a deal remain uncertain.

Meanwhile, President Trump, who even issued an executive order imposing punitive tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba, described Cuba as "a failed state right now." However, when asked whether he would pursue in Cuba the same kind of regime-change operation he carried out in Venezuela in January, he replied, "I do not think that will be necessary."

In addition, when asked whether the United States would sell more weapons to Taiwan, President Trump said, "We will make a decision very soon," stressing that he has a "good relationship" with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

On the same 17th, regarding the peace talks between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine that are also to be held in Geneva, President Trump pressed for an agreement, saying, "It would be better for Ukraine to come to the (negotiating) table quickly."