MORRISTOWN, NJ: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that U.S. negotiators held “very good” talks with Iranian officials over the weekend regarding Tehran’s nuclear program, raising hopes of potential diplomatic progress.
“I think we could have some good news on the Iran front,” Trump told reporters at Morristown Airport as he departed New Jersey for Washington after a weekend at his Bedminster golf club.
While Trump offered few specifics, he noted that talks in Rome between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and an Iranian delegation were making “serious progress.” He added, “I don’t know if I’ll be telling you something good or bad in the next two days, but I have a feeling it might be something good.”
EU Tariff Deadline Pushed to July 9
In a separate development, Trump announced a delay in imposing 50% tariffs on European Union imports. Originally set for June 1, the deadline has now been extended to July 9 to allow more time for trade negotiations.
The decision followed a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who requested more time to finalize a deal.
“We had a very nice call, and I agreed to move it,” Trump said. “She said we will rapidly get together and see if we can work something out.”
Von der Leyen confirmed the call in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating the EU is “ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively.” Financial markets responded positively to the delay, with both the euro and U.S. dollar gaining against the yen and Swiss franc.
Trump had previously said he was “not looking for a deal” and was ready to impose the tariffs, which rattled global markets. His broader trade strategy has often disrupted international relations, but the recent shift suggests a return to diplomacy.
Trump Condemns Russian Strikes on Ukraine
Trump also voiced sharp criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin following a massive aerial assault on Ukraine over the weekend. Russia launched 367 drones and missiles in a single night — the most extensive barrage since the war began — killing at least 12 and injuring dozens.
“I’m not happy with Putin,” Trump said. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him. What the hell happened to him? He’s killing a lot of people, and I don’t like it at all.”
Trump, who spoke with Putin last week in an effort to encourage a ceasefire in the now three-year-old war, said he may consider additional sanctions on Russia if the attacks continue.
“Always gotten along with him,” Trump said, “but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people — and I don’t like it at all.”
