Iran should return to nuclear talks, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said in an interview, despite citing President Donald Trump's position that US attacks on Iran last month had devastated its nuclear program.
"Since we obliterated their nuclear program, I think it is time for Iran to come to the table and negotiate with the United States of America on a path towards peace and prosperity for the Iranian people," US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker told Fox News.
Still, Whitaker said he did not trust Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to deliver an accord after he told the same network the previous day that US strikes had serious damage Iranian nuclear sites but that Tehran would not give up enrichment.
“I don’t believe a single word that the Iranian foreign minister says,” Whitaker said.
“He’s not a credible voice for peace. President Trump’s been very clear—Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. And since we obliterated their nuclear program, I think it is time for Iran to come to the table and negotiate with the United States of America.”
Iran is expected to meet this week with France, Germany and the UK. Tehran has said it will not end uranium enrichment, even as European powers have mooted triggering renewed international sanctions if no agreement is reached by the end of August.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that the administration continues to be open to talks with Iran if it deems to be necessary.
Asked whether NATO allies share the administration’s stance, Whitaker said what he called the free world sees Iran and Russia as destabilizing forces.
“You’re either with the side of peace—peace through strength with Donald Trump and the United States—or you’re with the outcast crew of China, Iran, and others who don’t want peace and prosperity for their people,” he said.
“At the end of the day, our allies want to be with us.”
NATO has been critical of the role of Iran in supplying drones to Russia to use in war against Ukraine.
Secretary General Mark Rutte in May warned of increased coordination among the bloc's adversaries Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.
