President Donald Trump warned on Monday, February 2, that “bad things” will happen if Iran fails to reach a deal with the United States, after Tehran called for the start of nuclear talks with Washington.
“Right now we’re talking to them, we’re talking to Iran, and if we can work something out that’d be great. And if we can’t, probably bad things would happen,” Trump told reporters in the White House.
Despite the warning, however, Trump has maintained he is hopeful that Washington will “work something out.”
With tensions flaring, Trump declined to discuss any possible military action against Iran, but reiterated that the “tremendous force” including an aircraft carrier he has dispatched to the Middle East was arriving in the region soon.
Trump had earlier warned “time is running out” for Iran to reach a deal on its nuclear program, which the West believes is aimed at making an atomic bomb, a claim Tehran has repeatedly denied.
In an interview Sunday with CNN, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “President Trump said no nuclear weapons, and we fully agree. We fully agree with that. That could be a very good deal,” adding that, “in return, we expect sanctions lifting.”
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said earlier Monday that Tehran was working on a method and framework for negotiations that would be ready in the coming days, with messages between the two sides relayed through regional players.
Iranian authorities, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had warned any US attack would trigger a “regional war.”
Protests in Iran, sparked in late December due to economic strain, exploded in size and intensity over several days in early January. Authorities have said the protests were “riots” inflamed by its arch foes, the United States and Israel, with Khamenei likening them to a “coup” attempt.
‘Terrorist acts’
Tehran has acknowledged thousands of deaths during the protests and on Sunday, the presidency published the names of 2,986 people out of the 3,117 whom authorities said were killed in the unrest. Authorities insist most were members of the security forces and innocent bystanders, attributing the violence to “terrorist acts.”
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said it has confirmed 6,854 deaths, mostly protesters killed by security forces, with rights groups warning the figure is likely far higher.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency, a US-based NGO, said it has confirmed 6,854 deaths, mostly protesters killed by security forces, with other rights groups warning the figure is likely far higher.
The crackdown prompted the European Union to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, with Iranian lawmakers retaliating on Sunday by slapping the same designation on European armies. The EU also issued fresh sanctions on Iranian officials, including the interior minister, a move echoed on Monday by Britain, which announced sanctions on 10 individuals over the “brutality against protesters.”
Baqaei said Monday the foreign ministry had summoned all the EU member state ambassadors in Tehran over the designation, and that other responses were to come.
Authorities have continued to announce arrests, with rights groups estimating at least 40,000 people have been detained over the protests.
