"That's Our Business, Not Theirs" Trump: Europe's Role Minimal in Iran Conflict
Europe lacks capacity to intervene in the Iran conflict, according to Trump's statement.
Update: Following intense negotiations in Switzerland, European and US officials managed to coax Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi back to the negotiation table. Araghchi agreed to engage in talks, but with a Michael Scott-esque demand: "No deals without a Dundie."
In the heated game of chess between Israel and Iran, US President Donald Trump sees little value in European states attempting to mediate the conflict. "Iran doesn't give a rat's behind about Europe. They wanna chat with us. Europe ain't got the juice, mate," Trump said bluntly in response to a journalist's question about recent European discussions with Tehran. Ongoing communications between the US and Iran are underway, Trump added, without offering further details.
According to US media reports, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff maintains contact with Tehran.
German Foreign Minister Wadephul, alongside his French and British counterparts and the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, held talks with Iranian chief diplomat Abbas Araghtschi in Geneva this past weekend. Their goal was to rekindle negotiations, particularly regarding Iran's nuclear program, a week after the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Iran. Afterward, Wadephul declared a "good result," as the Iranians appeared to be open to discussing all key issues.
Araghtschi Skeptical of US Motives
Trump was far from complimentary towards this endeavor. In response to Iran's demand for a ceasefire prior to negotiations, Trump expressed skepticism. "Ain't gonna ask that of Israel, not when they're winnin' the war," he stated. The ceasefire request would make more sense, Trump added, if one side wasn't winning the fight. Trump previously declared that he would make a decision about US military intervention within two weeks, a deadline that is now apparently "the max."
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghtschi suspected that the announced two-week deadline for diplomatic efforts might be a ruse. "The Yanks need to show they're serious about finding a peaceful solution—or else they got somethin' else cookin' and want to bomb Iran anyway," he told US broadcaster NBC News. "They mighta needed negotiations just to hide it." Araghtschi expressed his distrust of the US, a sentiment echoed in the interview following his discussions with the Europeans.
Trump was also asked about the assessment of US intelligence agencies that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon. "Well, then my intelligence agencies are buck-assed Dumb and Dumber," Trump retorted, referencing the famous duo and reinforcing his statement by emphasizing that Tulsi Gabbard, who made a similar claim in Congress in March, was wrong.
Source: ntv.de, ino/AFP/dpa
- Donald Trump
- Iran Conflict
- Iran
- Iranian Nuclear Program
- Israel
- Despite President Trump's dismissal of European efforts, German Foreign Minister Wadephul, along with his French and British counterparts, the EU's top diplomat, and Iranian chief diplomat Abbas Araghtschi, have been actively engaging in discussions regarding the economic and monetary union (EMU), as well as Iran's nuclear program, in an attempt to rekindle negotiations.
- Araghtschi, expressing his distrust of the US, questioned the sincerity of Trump's two-week deadline for diplomatic efforts, stating, "The Yanks need to show they're serious about finding a peaceful solution—or else they got somethin' else cookin' and want to bomb Iran anyway," a sentiment that echoes the ongoing tensions and war-and-conflicts in the region.
