‘Maybe at some point’: Trump leaves door open to Iran talks after denying negotiations

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said Wednesday, August 19, that negotiations with Iran could resume “maybe at some point,” a day after saying no talks were taking place or scheduled.

The United States and Iran had signed a June memorandum aimed at ending hostilities and paving the way for a broader agreement.

Trump made the comments to reporters about Iran, repeating his claim of “complete control” of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump leaves door open to renewed Iran talks

Trump said the situation concerning Iran was “so good” when asked whether negotiations could resume, adding that talks might restart “maybe at some point.”

His comments came one day after he posted that there were “no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran.” 

He also said the naval blockade of Iranian ports remained “in full force and effect.”

The latest comments mark a change from Tuesday’s stated position, which followed Trump’s claim Monday that the United States was engaged in back-channel conversations with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. 

Tehran rejected that claim.

A US official separately told Al Jazeera that “positive talks” with Iran had been ongoing, but said Trump had “decided to wait” and instructed his negotiating team to hold off until Tehran was “ready to make a deal.” 

The official said there was “no conflict” in the administration’s position. 

Trump again sets nuclear demand for Iran

Trump also said Iran could not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, saying, “They have to get rid of completely. They have to get rid of no nuclear weapon.”

He added: “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. You know why? Cause they'd use it, and we're not going to let them use it. So Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and they won't.”

The June memorandum of understanding was intended to end the war and create a path toward a broader agreement, but it later broke down amid mutual accusations of violations and renewed hostilities.

Diplomatic efforts have since failed to produce a breakthrough on reopening the Strait of Hormuz or restarting negotiations toward a broader agreement.

Hormuz remains tied to the negotiations

Trump also reiterated Wednesday that the United States has “possession, complete control of the Strait (of Hormuz),” while describing Iranian drone attacks as having “nuisance value.”

On Tuesday, Trump had insisted that the waterway remained open and operating, saying all water mines had been removed or detonated.

He also posted a map of the strait captioned “New US Territory.”

Iran has maintained that Hormuz would remain closed until Washington met the terms of the June memorandum. 

Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said those conditions included lifting the blockade of Iranian ports, lifting oil sanctions, releasing Tehran’s frozen assets, and ending threats and military operations on all fronts, Aljazeera reported.

Qatar said Tuesday that mediators were awaiting an expected Iran-Oman deal before pushing Washington and Tehran to resume talks, the report said.