U.S. President Donald Trump on the 27th (local time) expressed dissatisfaction with the state of nuclear talks with Iran but left the door open to further negotiations.
Before departing the White House for a visit to Texas, President Trump told reporters, "I am not satisfied with the fact that they do not want to give us what we have to have," using the English phrase "what we have to have."
The expression "what we have to have" is interpreted as referring to the U.S. demand that Iran pledge not to possess nuclear weapons and give up its right to enrich uranium and its existing stockpile of enriched uranium.
However, President Trump said, "We'll see what happens," adding, "We will talk later. We will have additional conversations today."
The United States and Iran held a third round of nuclear talks in Geneva, Switzerland, the previous day but failed to reach an agreement. After the talks ended, Badr Al-Busaidi, the Omani foreign minister who served as mediator, said the delegations from both sides would consult with their governments and then continue technical-level discussions in Vienna, Austria, next week.
In response, President Trump said, "I am not satisfied with that approach," and "I do not feel good about the way they are negotiating," signaling dissatisfaction with the talks while also saying, "So we'll see what happens," appearing to leave room for additional dialogue.
Regarding speculation that the United States could take military action if the talks collapse, and asked whether it could lead to a change of regime in Iran, President Trump said, "Nobody knows. It could, or it might not," adding, "We have the finest military anywhere in the world."
Asked whether attacking Iran would create the risk of becoming deeply entangled in Middle East issues, he said, "There is always risk," and, "If a war breaks out, there is any kind of risk—both good and bad."
In addition, when asked whether he had made a "final decision" on the Iran issue, President Trump answered, "No."