Trump Says Iran Talks Are Underway, Warns Military Action Could Resume if They Fail

President Donald Trump said July 27 that talks with Iran are underway and could lead to an agreement, while warning the US would resume forceful military action if the negotiations collapse.

Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling to Michigan. He said Iran had requested talks, both directly and through intermediaries, and that meetings are now taking place.

"Iran asked for talks, both through intermediaries and directly, and we're in talks," Trump said. "There's a chance of a deal. Something good could happen."

He added that there is "a pretty good chance" something will happen. If it does, he said, that would be positive. If not, "we go back to what we were doing two days ago."

Trump said Iran entered talks because of intense US military pressure. Asked whether there was enough time for negotiations, he replied that there was.

In a later speech in Michigan, Trump again said the talks with Iran were proceeding in a friendly atmosphere.

He also repeated his longstanding claim that Iran received $1.7 billion in connection with the nuclear deal reached under former President Barack Obama's administration, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. "You can't buy Iran," Trump said. "You have to beat them, and we will thoroughly subdue them, but we'll see what happens."

"We're winning big against Iran, and we're making sure they never get a nuclear weapon," he said.

Trump had made similar remarks earlier in an interview with Axios, saying detailed talks with Iran were underway and that he would pursue strong military action if the negotiations failed.

The US halted its 13-day air campaign against Iran on July 24 in response to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and on US military bases in the Middle East. The two countries are continuing talks through mediators on reopening passage through the strait and restarting nuclear negotiations.

Trump also rejected media reports that US ammunition stockpiles had been strained by the war in Ukraine and military operations involving Iran. He said the US has ample supplies of various types of ammunition.

He added that former President Joe Biden had provided large-scale support to Ukraine and that inventories are now being replenished.

Trump said defense contractors are each operating four to five plants and that the overall situation is sound. He added that he wants to secure more advanced equipment.

Asked a day before his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu whether Washington and Israel differ over Iran, Trump said there are "some differences" but that their positions are broadly similar.

On allegations that Russia provided Iran with satellite images of US bases in the Gulf to help with targeting, Trump said, "You'll find out soon," adding that he would ask Russian President Vladimir Putin directly.

Shin Yong-hyun, Hankyung.com reporter yonghyun@hankyung.com