Trump says meeting on Iran planned for Thursday
3 Min Read
Trump calls Iran 'tough negotiators' amid stalled nuclear talks, citing major disagreements over uranium enrichment and warning of 'very dire' alternatives.
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US President Donald Trump gestures as he disembarks from Air Force One upon arrival at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, on June 6, 2025. (AP)
US President Donald Trump described Iran as a tough negotiator amid ongoing nuclear deal talks, noting the challenges in reaching an agreement. Speaking at a White House economic event, Trump said, "We're doing a lot of work on Iran right now," adding that "It's tough... They're great negotiators."
He also mentioned discussing Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier that day. At the end of the event, Trump added, “They’re just asking for things that you can’t do,“They don’t want to give up what they have to give up. You know what that is: They seek enrichment.”
Trump said that US and Iranian officials will meet on Thursday, but he did not specify where or if his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, would lead the meeting.
He provided few details on Iran's response to Witkoff's most recent proposal, but stated, "They have given us their thoughts on the deal, and I said, you know, it's just not acceptable for it."
The American president told reporters, “We can’t have enrichment. We want just the opposite, and so far, they’re not there. I hate to say that, because the alternative is a very, very dire one.”
Iran ups its condemnation of the West exploiting the IAEA
Earlier on Monday, Iran stepped up its condemnation of the US, France, Britain, and Germany, alleging that they are exploiting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for political purposes to pressure Tehran. The sharp criticism coincides with these nations preparing to present an anti-Iran resolution during this week’s IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna.
Baghaei emphasized that the Islamic Republic has fully complied with its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, while accusing Western nations of distorting the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to advance their own geopolitical agendas.
On another note, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has stated that while the agency has found “some issues” during its inspections, there is no conclusive evidence to indicate the existence of an “unnatural nuclear program” in Iran.
“We found some issues, but there is no conclusive evidence to suggest the existence of an unnatural nuclear program,” Grossi said, adding that the IAEA does not make accusations, but rather investigates based on factual findings. “The claims that Iran's nuclear program is not peaceful cannot be verified. There are no accusations; we are talking about certain reports.”
Grossi acknowledged that while Iran has not provided fully clear answers to all outstanding questions, “there are new elements that did not exist in 2015,” the year the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed. However, he declared the JCPOA “tailored for the circumstances at the time,” saying “its time is up” and that the agreement “cannot be revived.”
