Trump says U.S. to hold talks with Iran next week

June 26, 2025 (MLN): President Donald Trump said the U.S. will hold talks with Iran next week but downplayed the urgency of a nuclear agreement, citing the extensive damage caused by recent American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

“We may sign an agreement. I don’t know, to me, I don’t think it’s that necessary,” Trump said during a NATO summit press conference at The Hague.

Trump reiterated that U.S. strikes on Iran’s Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow sites had “obliterated” them, disputing intelligence reports suggesting the program was only set back by months.

The comments came on the second day of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, following 12 days of intense conflict that disrupted energy markets before oil prices plunged erasing most of their wartime gains.

The president declared the conflict “over,” though he warned it could resume, as Bloomberg reported.

As Iran signals readiness to return to diplomacy, its mission to the UN stated, “The logic of war has failed return to the logic of diplomacy.”

No immediate response was given to Trump’s remarks about new talks.

Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, who led earlier rounds of negotiations, expressed optimism for a renewed diplomatic effort, stating on CNBC, “We are hopeful. The signs are there.”

He confirmed that discussions with Iran were ongoing and multiple intermediaries had reached out.

Analysts, including Ray Takeyh of the Council on Foreign Relations, believe a diplomatic path could prevent further strikes, noting that Iran’s nuclear program may not have been fully disabled.

However, Tehran’s parliament has moved to suspend cooperation with the IAEA until its nuclear sites are secured.

The agency has not verified Iran’s uranium stocks since June 13, just before the Israeli strikes.

Trump claimed U.S. bunker-buster strikes buried atomic materials under layers of “granite, concrete and steel,” citing new intelligence and unnamed eyewitnesses.

Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed “badly damaged” nuclear facilities but said assessments were ongoing.

Israel's nuclear agency said Fordow was inoperable, setting back Iran’s nuclear capabilities “by many years.”

Trump previously claimed Iran was “weeks away” from a bomb, though intelligence reports vary. He emphasized enrichment and weaponization as red lines.

The conflict claimed 627 lives in Iran and 28 in Israel, with significant infrastructure damage.

Oil prices dropped 14% over two days, though rebounded slightly as Trump ruled out immediate sanctions relief.

He acknowledged China continues to purchase Iranian oil despite U.S. pressure, saying, “If they’re going to sell oil, they’re going to sell oil.”

Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron estimated the war cost Israel about 1% of its GDP. Meanwhile, 13 eastern Iranian airports have reopened, though Tehran’s remain closed.

Trump concluded, “They fought very, very hard and very viciously… and they were both satisfied to go home and get out.”

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