Today's news is dominated by the ongoing US-Iran negotiations, with President Donald Trump stating that Iran prefers direct talks with Washington, sidelining European governments. Trump emphasized that Europe won't be able to help resolve the Middle East standoff, saying, "Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe, it wants to speak to us".
*Key Developments:*
- *Two-Week Negotiation Window*: Trump set a two-week deadline for Iran to negotiate with the US, warning that Iran must make a deal "before there is nothing left" after Israeli strikes on nuclear sites.
- *Nuclear Deal Talks*: The US and Iran began negotiations on April 12, 2025, aiming to reach a nuclear peace agreement, but the talks stalled after Israel attacked Iran, escalating into a full-scale war.
- *Direct Talks*: Trump expressed willingness to meet with Iran, but Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has rejected Trump's demands, calling them "outrageous".
- *Diplomatic Activity*: The renewed negotiation window has sparked diplomatic activity, with international actors reassessing their strategies and exploring potential avenues for dialogue.¹ ² ³
*Recent Statements:*
- Trump stated that Iran has a proposal from the US on its nuclear program and has given Iran a two-week window to negotiate.
- Khamenei warned that Iran would retaliate if the US makes "unwise" threats, saying, "We will inflict a blow".⁴