President Trump announced Wednesday that Iranian representatives have approached the U.S. about holding a peace summit, claiming they are now desperate due to the punishing blows they’ve suffered—but that he rebuffed the idea, warning them it might be too late and that “there’s a big difference between now and a week ago.”
While he has alternated between pushing for negotiations and supporting Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear assets, Trump signaled a clear pivot away from diplomacy for the time being, pointing out that after nearly a week of intense fighting with Israel, the window for talks had nearly closed.
“I said, it’s really late. You know? I said it’s very late to be talking. … There’s a big difference between now and a week ago,” the president told reporters as he oversaw the installation of a new flagpole on the White House lawn.
Though he appeared skeptical of Iran’s timing, Trump threw in a jab at Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell, suggesting the only thing that’s truly beyond saving is Powell’s economic policy. “Nothing’s too late. The only thing too late is [Federal Reserve chairman Jerome] Powell,” he quipped.
According to Trump, Iranian envoys floated the idea of visiting the White House, and even Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to step in to facilitate the process.
“I said, ‘Vladimir, let’s mediate Russia first. You can worry about this later’,” Trump said.
He acknowledged the challenges Iran faces in making such overtures, remarking that it took bravery on their part despite their severe vulnerability.
“That’s, you know, courageous but it’s not easy for them to do,” he added.
“They’re totally defenseless. They have no air defense whatsoever.”
Trump went on to compliment the Iranian population, saying he had encountered many in New York and admired their intellect, even as he noted their current suffering.
“They can be difficult, but so can you… they’re smart people, and those people are getting the h— beaten out of them,” he said.
{Matzav.com}
