Trump ‘not happy’ with Iran negotiations as region braces for war

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US President Donald Trump on Friday said he was “not happy” with progress on a nuclear deal with Iran but would continue talks to resolve the dispute as the threat of war loomed over the region.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “We haven't made a final decision [on Iran]. We're not exactly happy with the way they negotiated.”

"It'd be wonderful if they negotiate, really, in good conscience, good faith and conscience. But they are not getting there so far," he added.

Trump did not provide details as to US demands and said talks would continue on Friday, when US Vice-President JD Vance and Oman Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who is mediating US-Iranian negotiations, will meet in Washington.

“We’ll see what happens,” he said.

The US has deployed a massive fleet of warships and fighter jets amid a standoff over Iran’s nuclear program. While both Washington and Tehran have repeatedly stated they prefer a diplomatic solution, Oman-mediated negotiations have yet to produce an agreement.

Tensions rise following negotiations

Despite reports of “significant progress’ during the indirect talks on Thursday, a senior Iranian official said Tehran refused to move its nuclear enrichment to the US but sought to dilute its stockpiles, which Washington says could be used to build a nuclear weapon.

Iran reportedly offered to reduce enrichment to 1.5 percent in exchange for sanctions relief, the Wall Street Journal reported. While the offer is far below Iran’s prior 60 percent levels, Washington has demanded Tehran dismantle its Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan facilities, the Journal reported, and previously demanded zero enrichment.

The UN’s nuclear watchdog and experts in Vienna Monday were set to review nuclear plans from the negotiations as the international community steps up efforts to avert war.

On Friday, the US and China urged its citizens and diplomatic staff to evacuate Israel on Friday as the UK announced it temporarily pulled its diplomats out of Iran, heightening fears that war was imminent.

There are concerns the tensions could spark a wider regional conflict, with pro-Iran Kataib Hezbollah threatening the Kurdistan Region’s “security and future” if authorities back an attack on Iran.

Iran conducts regional diplomatic blitz

Iran and Iraq’s top diplomats pressed for dialogue to resolve US-Iranian disputes over its nuclear program, Iraq’s foreign ministry said on Friday, warning that “escalation and war” could destabilize the region.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the crisis on Friday, with Iraq’s foreign ministry reporting that “both sides stressed that negotiations represent the most appropriate means to resolve problems.”

The diplomats emphasized “the need to keep the region away from the dangers of escalation and war, and to maintain regional security and stability,” the ministry said in a statement.

Baghdad, which has strong ties to both Washington and Tehran, will continue diplomatic “coordination and consultation during the next sensitive phase,” the ministry said.

Araghchi also warned of Washington’s “excessive demands” in a call with Foreign Minister of Egyptian Badr Abdelatty earlier in the day.

In a statement on X, Iran’s foreign ministry called for a diplomatic solution requiring “seriousness and realism from the [US] side, as well as avoiding any miscalculation and excessive demands.”