President Trump’s comments at the G7 that he was willing to meet Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani under the right circumstances were no shock, as he’s expressed such sentiments for awhile.



Trump called Rouhani a “great negotiator,” and while Rouhani said it would require the right circumstances, he did not dismiss the idea out of hand, something Iran has been doing for a long time.



Trump-Rouhani talks wold be a huge breakthrough, but much of Iran’s leadership has opposed talks on the grounds they couldn’t be counted on to get anything out of Trump, nor keep his word.



Trump was also quick to say Iran isn’t going to be getting anything in the talks, and that the most he’s willing to permit Iran is to allow other countries to offer them credit, backed by oil, so that Iran could subsist by borrowing.



That’s the sort of comment liable to convince Iran the talks aren’t worthwhile, and may simply amount to Trump being able to grandstand about how “we don’t pay” in talks, and then blame Iran when the talks don’t happen.





Author: Jason Ditz Jason Ditz is news editor of Antiwar.com. View all posts by Jason Ditz