Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Iran Diplomacy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State Department reiterates hopes for diplomacy with Iran as president sets two-week decision window
Summary
The State Department said the U.S. is pursuing diplomatic channels with Iran and other parties, citing a presidential statement that a decision on engagement would be made within two weeks; the spokesperson declined to characterize the productivity of Geneva talks and emphasized that the president will decide how to proceed.
The U.S. State Department on Friday said it remains focused on diplomatic avenues with Iran and other parties and noted President Trump’s public statement that he would decide within two weeks whether to pursue direct engagement.
Quoting the president, the State Department spokesperson said: "Based on the fact that there is a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place in the near future, I will make my decision of whether or not to go within the next 2 weeks." The spokesperson read the line while describing ongoing special envoy-led engagement.
Why it matters: The department said it is pursuing talks on multiple fronts and that special envoy Steve Witkoff has led efforts to get Iran "to the table." That diplomatic track sits alongside rapid operational and security decisions in an evolving regional crisis.
The spokesperson declined to characterize the productivity of talks in Geneva involving European counterparts and said decisions about how to proceed are for the president. When asked whether the U.S. would send a representative to Geneva to join European interlocutors, the spokesperson said the administration is "working on many different fronts" and that "how we're pursuing those efforts are up to the president." The spokesperson added: "We certainly continue to" pursue diplomatic options.
On related concerns about Iran’s potential nuclear activities and timelines cited by other White House officials, the spokesperson declined to provide further characterization from the podium and said the president "has his reasons" for the two-week window. The department also reiterated that it will continue to work with allies and that the president will make decisions based on broad information the White House is reviewing.
Ending: The spokesperson said the administration hopes diplomatic efforts succeed and that further developments — including what step the president decides to take — may become clearer in the coming days.
