US President Donald Trump has downplayed Iran’s claim that it will not take part in the latest peace negotiations, insisting that discussions are still going ahead and suggesting he is open to meeting Iranian leaders if progress is made.
Speaking to The New York Post, Trump said he does not believe the process is breaking down.
“We’re supposed to have the talks,” he said.
“So I would assume at this point nobody’s playing games.”
He confirmed that Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and adviser Jared Kushner have already left the United States for Islamabad, Pakistan, where the talks are expected to take place.
“They’re heading over now,” Trump said. “They’ll be there tonight, [Islamabad] time.”
The negotiations come at a sensitive moment, just days before a US–Iran ceasefire agreement is due to expire, with tensions rising in the region.
Trump also signalled unusual openness to direct engagement with Iran’s leadership if needed.
“I have no problem meeting them,” he said.
“If they want to meet, and we have some very capable people, but I have no problem meeting them.”
He said the central demand from the US side remains Iran’s nuclear programme.
“Get rid of their nuclear weapons. That’s all very simple,” Trump said.
“There will be no nuclear weapon.”
When asked about possible consequences if Iran refuses to comply or talks fail, Trump declined to give details, saying, “Well, I don’t want to get into that with you. You can imagine. It wouldn’t be pretty.”
