Speaking during a cabinet meeting, President Trump once again reiterated
that the US is not in any way seeking regime change in Iran, but rather
that his entire goal is “they can’t have a nuclear weapon.“
Trump further claimed a lot of progress,
as well he might, since Iran wasn’t seeking a nuclear weapon int he
first place, and has repeatedly said as much in recent days. If indeed
that’s the only US goal, it effectively has already been achieved.
Of course, US officials are still pushing the need for talks with Iran,
and Acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper urged the US to get “back on the diplomatic channel”
with Iran. That’s a recurring refrain from officials, even if it’s not
clear what they’ll accept from Iran after the repeated assurances not to
get a nuclear weapon didn’t placate US hawks.
Even where officials see progress they are not very specific on what
that means, or what progress would look like. Iranian officials are also
increasingly vague on what’s going on, some suggesting talks are
possible as others deny it.
Trump: US Not Seeking Regime Change in Iran
Esper urges a return to 'diplomatic channel' with Iran
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
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