Trump: Tehran ‘seriously talking’ with US about nuclear deal, warns ‘very powerful ships headed toward Iran’

President Trump says Tehran is engaged in serious talks with the US, expressing hope that a deal can be reached while adding that the US Navy is deploying new assets to the region.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

President Donald Trump said over the weekend that Iran is “seriously” engaged in talks with the United States in a bid to de-escalate tensions between the two countries, while hinting that the US is still gearing up for a possible war in the region should negotiations fail.

Trump spoke with reporters on Air Force One overnight between Saturday and Sunday, responding to questions regarding Iran and the deployment of American military forces to the area ahead of a possible confrontation.

“A lot of things are happening with Iran,” Trump said, emphasizing that the US Navy has dispatched more vessels to the region, while expressing optimism that an agreement can be reached with Tehran.

“We do have very big, powerful ships heading in that direction, as you know, but I hope they negotiate something that’s acceptable,” the president continued.

Trump reiterated his demand that Iran agree to halt its uranium enrichment efforts and accept a mechanism for ensuring it does not pursue nuclear weapons.

The president added that Iran is “seriously talking” with the US, while noting that he does not know whether an agreement can be reached.

“You could make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapon.”

“They should do that, but I don’t know that they will. They are talking to us — seriously talking to us. We’ll see what happens.”

When asked to respond to reports that the Saudi defense minister warned that if the US fails to use military force against Iran following Trump’s warnings not to kill protesters, the president appeared to confirm the defense minister’s statement while refusing to respond to his comments.

“Some people think that. Some people don’t.”