The latest
President Donald Trump is publicly distancing himself from the Iran talks, even after months of direct involvement in the conflict and efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In an interview with CNBC, Trump said he “couldn’t care less” whether negotiations with Tehran collapse.
Details
• Trump said the talks were starting “to get very boring” after days of indirect negotiations through intermediaries.
• He was responding to reports that Iran may suspend the talks over continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon and ongoing tensions with U.S. forces in the Gulf.
• The White House has been trying to reach a preliminary understanding that could reduce the risk of a wider confrontation.
• Trump’s indifference may be tactical. Fuel prices have surged since the war began, and Republicans are watching signs of public frustration over the conflict.
• A senior ExxonMobil official recently warned that energy prices could climb further if the crisis continues.
What to watch
The key question is whether Trump’s comments are negotiating theater or a real signal that Washington is prepared to let the talks fail. Either way, the political cost of a prolonged conflict is becoming harder to ignore.
Source: The New York Times
