Trump Says Iran Talks Enter Two Phases, Calls Negotiations Tehran’s ‘Last Chance’

WASHINGTON, Aug 3: US President Donald Trump said Monday that talks with Iran are underway at Tehran’s request, describing the negotiations as a “last chance” for Iran to reach an agreement with Washington.

Trump said the discussions were being supported by regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, along with other countries that had urged the United States to give diplomacy another opportunity.

According to Trump, the talks will proceed in two phases. The first phase will focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, to have the key waterway “completely open” by Tuesday.

“The second phase will be the denuclearization,” Trump said, stressing that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump said the negotiations would address both the situation around the Strait of Hormuz and, “more importantly,” Iran’s nuclear program.

He did not provide further details on the location or participants involved in the talks but said Iran had sought the negotiations and that Washington was giving diplomacy one final opportunity to resolve the dispute.