Trump Says He Won't Send People to Iran Ceasefire Talks, Will Handle Them by Phone

[The Financial News] Donald Trump, who had been preparing for a second round of ceasefire talks with the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) before suspending them, said he would negotiate with Iran by "phone." The remarks appeared to signal that he does not intend to remain tied to the talks.
In a phone interview with Fox News on the 26th (local time), Trump said he had called Pakistan the previous day. During that call, he informed them that he would no longer send people to Pakistan for ceasefire talks with Iran.
Trump said he would conduct ceasefire talks with Iran "by phone," adding that if Iran "wants to talk, they can come to us or call us." He also noted that "there are secure means of communication." Trump stressed that the U.S. holds the upper hand in the negotiations, saying, "We hold all the cards."
Trump said, "When a flight alone takes 17 to 18 hours, sending people for a meeting a few days later is inefficient," adding, "We won't do it that way anymore." He explained that "negotiations can be handled by phone just fine."
He added, however, that "they will continue to stay involved," saying Pakistan would keep playing a mediating role in the talks. Turning to Iran, Trump said, "Again, they know what has to be included in any ceasefire agreement," and added, "They cannot have nuclear weapons. Otherwise, there is no reason to meet."
The U.S. held the first round of ceasefire talks with Iran in Pakistan on the 11th and had planned to send a second negotiating team to Pakistan on the 25th, but the deployment was shelved at the last minute after the Iranian side said it had no intention of negotiating.
Trump said of a war with Iran, "We have done a great job, and we will score a big victory." He added, "I hope they act smartly, but even if they don't, we will win anyway," and emphasized, "If necessary, we can eliminate the remaining forces very quickly." He then said, "I hope it doesn't come to that, but the possibility exists."
Asked whether the People's Republic of China was helping Iran, Trump said, "I don't think they helped much. They may be able to help, but I don't think they can do that much." He argued that "China could have done much worse than it has, but I don't think it has been that bad."
Instead, Trump referred to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), saying, "It has not helped us properly. We have served them for a long time, pouring in trillions of dollars, and when we needed a little help, they were not there." He added, "So we have to remember that."


pjw@fnnews.com Park Jong-won Reporter