By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over the weekend, Trump administration officials met with their Iranian counterparts in a significant step toward reviving nuclear negotiations.
It marks the first direct engagement between the two nations since President Donald Trump’s return to office.
The talks come just weeks after U.S. airstrikes targeted the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The administration views the current climate as an opportunity to apply pressure and push forward on a new nuclear agreement.
“Iran has to get rid of the concept of a nuclear weapon,” President Trump said Monday.
On Saturday, Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, spoke with Iran’s Foreign Minister for approximately two and a half hours. Both sides described the discussion as “positive and constructive.”
“Nothing matters until you get it done. So, I don’t like talking about it, but it’s going okay. The Iran situation is going pretty good,” Trump said after the discussion.
U.S. officials and experts believe recent military action has weakened Iranian-backed terror groups and bolstered America’s position in negotiations.
“Well, these talks are really important because Trump thinks that he has leverage—because of the recent attack on the Houthis, because of the position of the Israelis with respect to Hezbollah and Hamas. They think that they have the upper hand and have the leverage to be able to negotiate a deal that they think will be in their best interest,” said Dr. Todd Belt, Professor and Director of the Political Management Master’s Program at George Washington University.
As the White House looks to curb Iran’s nuclear aspirations through negotiating rather than escalating, Belt noted that timing remains a major challenge.
“It took a very long time to get the JCPOA, which was the original Iran nuclear deal. I don’t see how you can do it so quickly this time around. But of course, Donald Trump thinks that he has more cards to play,” said Belt.
Some lawmakers are urging sustained pressure on Iran.
“I think the most important thing we could do is keep the negotiations and the communications very vigorous and with a blend of who’s going to do what and when are they going to do it,” said Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.).
Analysts say the outcome of the talks could shape regional stability for years. The next round of discussions is expected to take place Saturday in Rome, where U.S. and Iranian officials are scheduled to meet face to face.
