White House warns Iran of 'options’ besides diplomacy ahead nuclear talks begin

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA)—The White House said Thursday that upcoming talks between the US and Iran will center on diplomacy aimed at eliminating Iran’s nuclear capabilities, while emphasizing that President Donald Trump retains other options if negotiations fail.

"Diplomacy moving forward," spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said at a news conference when asked about the agenda for Friday's talks, which are set to take place in Oman's capital, Muscat.

"The president has obviously been quite clear in his demands of the Iranian regime. Zero nuclear capability is something he's been very explicit about, and he wants to see if a deal can be struck," Leavitt said.

She cautioned that the administration views diplomacy as only one path forward and warned Tehran against misreading US intentions during the negotiations.

"And while these negotiations are taking place, I would remind the Iranian regime that the president has many options at his disposal aside from diplomacy as the commander in chief of the most powerful military in the history of the world," she said.