Donald Trump has made an offer to negotiate a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, French president Emmanuel Macron said, while the US says it still hopes for a nuclear deal with Tehran.
“There is indeed an offer to meet and exchange. An offer was made especially to get a ceasefire and to then kick-start broader discussions,” Mr Macron told reporters at the G7.
Mr Trump’s team was discussing with Iran the possibility of a meeting this week between envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, Axios reported.
Mr Macron’s statement comes after Mr Trump departed the G7 summit in Canada a day early after warning Tehran’s residents to “immediately evacuate” and claiming Iran “should have signed the deal” he offered.
Iran has denied allegations that it is secretly developing nuclear weapons and says its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes.
Since Israel began striking Iran on Friday morning, the exchange of fire has seen more than 200 people killed in Iran and more than 20 in Israel, their respective authorities have reported.
Trump team proposes talks between Witkoff and Iran’s foreign minister
The US is discussing with Iran the possibility of a meeting this week between envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss a nuclear deal and an end to the war between Israel and Iran, Axios reported.
The report comes after French president Emmanuel Marcon said that his American counterpart, Donald Trump, has offered to broker a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
17 June 2025 05:14
Pentagon chief says Trump still wants nuclear deal with Iran
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that president Donald Trump is still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran even as hostilities have escalated between Tehran and Israel.
“Of course,” Mr Hegseth said on Fox News when asked if Mr Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran.
“We are postured defensively in the region to be strong in pursuit of a peace deal. And we certainly hope that’s what happens here,” Mr Hegseth said.
In a social media post yesterday, Mr Trump said, “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran,” citing what he said was the country’s rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development.
17 June 2025 04:24