Trump sure Iran will seek talks ‘soon’

CAIRO – 16 May 2019: U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is sure Tehran will "soon" seek to negotiate with Washington, and he dismissed media reports suggesting there was disagreement within the administration of his policy toward Iran.

"I’m sure that Iran will want to talk soon," Trump wrote on Twitter on May 15 without elaborating.

....Different opinions are expressed and I make a decisive and final decision - it is a very simple process. All sides, views, and policies are covered. I’m sure that Iran will want to talk soon.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 15, 2019

Trump’s remarks follow comments he made on May 9 when he said he did not rule out a military confrontation with Iran. But he added, "What I would like to see with Iran, I would like to see them call me."

Iranian leaders responded by rejecting any talks with Washington.

Tensions have risen since Trump in May 2018 pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal that Iran signed with six world powers. The accord provided Tehran with relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear program.

In pulling out of the agreement, Trump said the terms were not tough enough to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and did not address Iran's missile program or Tehran's alleged support for militants in the region.

Iran denies it supports insurgent activity and has said its nuclear program is strictly for civilian energy purposes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said during a visit to Tokyo on May 16 that Tehran was showing "maximum restraint" despite the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear accord and he accused Washington of an "unacceptable" escalation of the crisis.

Trump has ordered a beefing up of U.S. military assets in the Middle East and Arabian Gulf, citing possible threats from Iran. The State Department also ordered the evacuation of all nonessential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, citing tensions with neighboring Iran.

Meanwhile, Trump blasted media reports that of discord in the White House over the president’s policies toward Iran.

"The Fake News Washington Post, and even more Fake News New York Times, are writing stories that there is infighting with respect to my strong policy in the Middle East,” he wrote on Twitter.

"There is no infighting whatsoever."

”Different opinions are expressed and I make a decisive and final decision -- it is a very simple process,” he added.