White House Confirms US–Iran Talks Take Place This Week
Speaking to reporters, a White House spokesperson said she had recently spoken with the US special envoy and confirmed that the meetings are still expected to proceed. She stressed the administration’s preference for diplomacy, saying, "I just spoke with special envoy [Steve] Witkoff, and these talks, as of right now, are still scheduled. President Trump is always wanting to pursue diplomacy first, but obviously it takes two to tango."
She added that meaningful negotiations require cooperation from both sides, noting, "You need a willing partner to achieve diplomacy, and that's something that special envoy Witkoff is intent on exploring and discussing. As always, though, of course, the president has a range of options on the table with respect to Iran as commander-in-chief."
According to reports, Witkoff was expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul on Friday for discussions focused on Iran’s nuclear program. However, other reports indicated that Tehran has called for changes, including a different venue and a revised format for the talks.
Earlier accounts suggested that representatives from Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar would participate, but more recent reporting said Iran is now pressing for direct bilateral talks and wants the location moved from Istanbul to Oman.
Tensions were further heightened after the White House confirmed that US forces downed an Iranian drone as it approached the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. Addressing the incident, the spokesperson said, “CENTCOM did make the decision to shoot down that Iranian drone. It was unmanned; it was acting aggressively towards our USS Lincoln, which we know, that aircraft carrier is in the region at the direction of President Trump," describing the action as justified.
She later emphasized that the drone incident would not affect diplomatic efforts, reiterating, "Those talks will continue later this week, as far as we're concerned," while noting that the situation remains under close watch.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
