Iran pushed back Wednesday against U.S. President Donald Trump’s pressure tactics ahead of critical talks in Geneva over Tehran’s nuclear program, alternating between calling his remarks “big lies” to saying negotiations may yield an agreement through “honorable diplomacy.”
The remarks by two Iranian officials ahead of Thursday’s talks come as America has assembled its biggest deployment of aircraft and warships to the Middle East in decades, part of Trump’s efforts to get a deal while Iran struggles at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests last month.
If the negotiations fail, Trump repeatedly has threatened to attack Iran — something Mideast nations fear could spiral into a new regional war.
Trump holds call with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy ahead of more talks with Russia
The call between the leaders, which comes a day after the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was confirmed by a White House official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Zelenskyy confirmed earlier that a Ukrainian delegation will meet with Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and Russian officials on Thursday in Geneva for another round of talks aimed at ending the conflict.
Trump delivered a record setting 108-minute State of the Union speech on Tuesday, but did not spend much time discussing the brutal war that during his 2024 campaign he vowed to end on his first day back in the White House. He noted in the address that the “killing and slaughter between Russia and Ukraine” was leaving thousands dead each month.
Tech companies to attend White House event to protect consumers against higher electricity prices
The White House will host major tech companies involved in building out data centers for artificial intelligence on March 4 for them to sign a pledge to protect consumers from higher electricity prices.
That’s according to a White House official who requested anonymity to discuss the forthcoming event.
Source: WPLG
