European allies meet with Iran as Trump weighs US military involvement
European foreign ministers met with their Iranian counterpart on Friday as President Donald Trump weighs whether to involve the U.S. military in the Israel-Iran conflict, with a decision expected within two weeks.
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This marks the first face-to-face meetings between Iranian and Western officials since the conflict began, aiming to de-escalate the situation.
David Lammy, the U.K. Secretary of State, said, "We are keen to continue ongoing discussions and negotiations with Iran. This is a perilous moment."
President Trump shared why he proposed a two-week deadline after discussions with his national security team in the Oval Office.
"Just time to see whether or not people come to their senses," Trump said. When asked if the Europeans helped with talks with Iranians, he replied, "No, not at all. They didn't help. No."
In Switzerland, top diplomats from France, Germany, the U.K., and the European Union held direct talks with Iran's foreign minister. European officials, who have been in touch with the Trump administration, see the president's two-week timeline as a window to find a diplomatic solution and restart negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.
At the same time, President Trump is considering whether to support Israel in striking Iran's Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is deep underground, using America's "bunker-buster" bombs.
European allies stated in the meeting, as the U.S. has, that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, Iran said it was open to dialogue but had nothing to discuss with the U.S., while Israel continues to strike the country.