President Donald Trump said Monday that there are no ongoing talks with Iranian officials and that he has not proposed any concessions to the regime, amid backlash from European leaders over threats reportedly made against the head of the UN nuclear agency.
Posting to Truth Social in the early hours, Trump wrote, “I am not offering Iran ANYTHING, unlike Obama, who paid them $Billions under the stupid ‘road to a nuclear weapon JCPOA (which would now be expired!), nor am I even talking to them since we totally OBLITERATED their Nuclear Facilities.”
His post appeared to counter claims made by Delaware Senator Chris Coons, who had told Fox News on Sunday that there are indications Trump “is now moving toward negotiation and offering Iran a deal that looks somewhat similar to the Iran deal that was offered by Obama. Tens of billions of dollars of incentives and reduced sanctions in exchange for abandoning their nuclear program.”
Trump also dismissed reports last Friday that his administration had explored a potential deal with Iran that would give them access to up to $30 billion to develop a civilian nuclear energy sector.
Iran responded on Monday by accusing Trump of playing political games, saying his mixed messaging on sanctions and diplomacy does not reflect a serious approach to resolving tensions between the two countries.
“These [statements by Trump] should be viewed more in the context of psychological and media games than as a serious expression in favor of dialogue or problem-solving,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told a press conference.
At the same time, European powers voiced strong disapproval of Iran’s behavior toward the chief of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, following Iran’s refusal to allow a site visit after Israeli and American strikes on its nuclear facilities.
Iran has blasted International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, accusing him of failing to condemn the attacks and calling his actions a “betrayal of his duties.” Iranian lawmakers voted this week to halt cooperation with the agency.
“France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemn threats against the director general of the IAEA Rafael Grossi and reiterate our full support to the agency,” foreign ministers Jean-Noel Barrot, Johann Wadephul and David Lammy said in a joint statement.
The European trio also issued a direct appeal to Iran, warning against further steps to undermine the agency’s mission.
“We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease cooperation with the IAEA,” they added.
“We urge Iran to immediately resume full cooperation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel.”
{Matzav.com}