Trump says US will soon find out if Iran's parliament speaker willing to work with Washington: Report
Washington, March 31
US President Donald Trump suggested in a media interview that the White House will find out whether Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is willing to work with the United States "in about a week."
"We're gonna find out," Trump told The New York Post in an exclusive interview. "I'll let you know that in about a week."
Trump described a dramatic shake-up inside Iran, claiming Iran's old leadership has effectively been wiped out and replaced by a new group he said has so far been easier to work with, Xinhua reported quoting The New York Post's interview.
"There has been total regime change because the regimes of the past are gone and we're dealing with a whole new set of people," Trump claimed. "And thus far, they've been much more reasonable."
Meanwhile, Trump repeatedly urged Iran to make a deal "before it's too late."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a press briefing on Monday that Trump hopes to reach a deal with Iran by April 6, which is the new deadline Trump set last week after postponing airstrikes on Iran's energy facilities.
Leavitt also said that Iranian officials negotiating with Washington appear more reasonable, but refused to name them.
"These folks are appearing more reasonable behind the scenes, privately in these conversations, than perhaps some of the previous leaders who are now no longer on planet Earth," said Leavitt.
Earlier on Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with Al Jazeera that "it's not quite clear how decisions are being made inside of Iran" as Washington seeks to make a deal to end the war with Iran.
Though Trump has repeatedly claimed that negotiations with Iran are progressing well, no substantive progress has emerged, local analysts say, noting that continued strikes and military reinforcement in the Middle East are further dampening hopes for a swift de-escalation.
Sunday marked the one-month milestone in the US-Israeli war with Iran. Trump threatened on Monday morning to "completely obliterate" all of Iran's electricity-generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island if a deal is not reached shortly.
— IANS
Reader Comments
From an Indian perspective, we've seen how regional instability in the Middle East impacts oil prices and our economy directly. Really hoping for a peaceful resolution. A stable West Asia is in everyone's interest, including India's. 🙏
"Regimes of the past are gone"? What does that even mean? The reporting says no substantive progress has been made. This feels more like a media narrative being pushed before an election than actual diplomatic progress.
The language is so extreme. "Completely obliterate" is not the terminology of a statesman seeking a deal. It's the language of someone trying to look strong. Real strength is in quiet, effective diplomacy that doesn't need to be televised.
India has good relations with both the US and Iran. We have a huge stake in the Strait of Hormuz remaining open for our energy supplies. Hope our diplomats are actively engaging behind the scenes to encourage calm. Jai Hind.
Setting public deadlines like "April 6" for complex international deals rarely works. It just creates pressure for theatrics instead of substance. The Chabahar port project shows how patient, long-term engagement with Iran can yield results.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.