President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States would participate in what he called “direct conversations” with Iran.
Sitting next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval office, Trump said they would start next weekend.
“We are having direct conversations with Iran, and they have begun. It will go on Saturday. We have a great meeting and we will see what can happen,” he said.
“And I think everyone agrees that making an agreement would be preferable to do the obvious. And it is obvious is not something that I want to get involved or, frankly, that Israel wants to get involved if they can avoid it. Therefore, we will see if we can avoid it. But it is very dangerous.
President Donald Trump shakes hand to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on April 7, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP through Getty Images
Last month, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshianid rejected an offer for direct conversations in a letter sent by Trump, according to state media.
Saturday’s meeting would be the first among the United States and Iran since the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Trump has threatened the possible military action against Iran to prevent nuclear weapons from developing.
“We have a very big meeting on Saturday and we are dealing with them directly,” he said on Monday. “You know, many people say: ‘Oh, maybe you are going through substitutes or are not trying directly. You are treating through other countries.’ No, we are dealing with them directly.
“That will be great,” he continued. “That would be really good for Iran, I can tell you that. But I hope we will not have to enter that. We meet, very important on Saturday at the highest level. And we’ll see how it works.”
This is a development story. Consult the updates again.
