ISLAMABAD (PEN) : US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that American negotiators held “very good” discussions with Iranian representatives over the weekend, raising hopes for progress in preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Speaking to reporters at Morristown Airport in New Jersey as he returned to Washington from his Bedminster golf club, Trump expressed cautious optimism about the ongoing negotiations.
“I think we could have some good news on the Iran front,” Trump said, noting significant strides but offering no further details on talks held in Rome between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian delegates.
“I don’t know if I’ll be telling you anything good or bad over the next two days, but I have a feeling I might be telling you something good,” he added.
### EU Tariffs Postponed Amid Trade Talks
In a separate development, Trump agreed to postpone the threatened 50% tariffs on European Union imports, extending the deadline to July 9 to allow further negotiations between Washington and the 27-member bloc.
Trump had initially planned to impose the tariffs on June 1 out of frustration with the slow pace of trade talks. However, following a request from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he consented to delay the tariffs.
“We had a very nice call, and I agreed to move it,” Trump said. “She said we will rapidly get together and see if we can work something out.”
Von der Leyen described the conversation as positive and emphasized the EU’s readiness to expedite negotiations. “Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively,” she tweeted. “To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.”
The tariff delay led to modest gains for the euro and US dollar against safe-haven currencies like the yen and Swiss franc.
### Trump Voices Concern Over Russian Attacks in Ukraine
Addressing recent events in Ukraine, Trump expressed strong disapproval of Russia’s extensive bombing campaign, calling it a “humanitarian disaster.”
“I’m not happy with Putin,” Trump said, reacting to a Russian drone and missile assault that struck Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, resulting in at least 12 deaths.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with him. What the hell happened to him? Right? He’s killing a lot of people. I’m not happy about that,” Trump added, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump, who has engaged in diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire in the three-year conflict, indicated that further sanctions on Russia might be forthcoming.
“Always gotten along with him, but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all,” he remarked.
