US hit Iran hard last week, but talks getting along well: Trump after Qatar meeting
Days after US strikes targeted Iran, President Donald Trump said talks in Qatar had gone well and claimed Washington was "getting along very well" with Tehran.
US President Donald Trump struck an optimistic tone on Wednesday, saying recent talks with Iran in Qatar had gone well despite the US launching heavy military strikes against the country just last week.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme were making progress and suggested diplomacy was beginning to bear fruit.
"We're getting along very well," Trump said. "The denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well. They've had very good meetings, and we'll see."
DIPLOMATIC PUSH CONTINUES
According to a source cited by news agency Reuters, representatives from both countries met in the Qatari capital on Wednesday to discuss two key issues: ensuring the free flow of commercial shipping through Strait of Hormuz and securing a lasting ceasefire.
The talks are part of diplomatic efforts launched after weeks of military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Qatar is mediating the negotiations alongside Pakistan.
KUSHNER, WITKOFF HELPED PREPARE TALKS
Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and US envoy Steve Witkoff met Qatar's prime minister ahead of the discussions to help lay the groundwork for the negotiations, the source said.
However, neither Kushner nor Witkoff took part in the technical talks themselves.
While expressing confidence in the diplomatic process, Trump also pointed to last week's US military action against Iran.
"We hit them very hard last week," he said, before adding that relations had improved significantly since then.
"We're getting along very well," Trump said. "They've come a long way."
Asked about Iran's current position, the president replied, "I think they're fine."