Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, speaks with an unidentified Omani official upon his arrival at Muscat, Oman, April 25, 2025, a day before negotiations with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff. (AP)
Addressing the possibility of the U.S. becoming directly involved in the conflict, Leavitt read a message from the president saying, "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks."
While she said Trump is hoping to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict, she said he has simultaneously been very "direct and clear" that the terms of any deal with the country must include no enrichment of uranium, which would contribute to the Iranian nuclear program the president has long opposed.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addresses the media during elections in Tehran, Iran, May 10, 2024. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Nonetheless, Leavitt said, "Iran is absolutely not able to achieve a nuclear weapon. The president has been very clear about that. And, by the way, the deal that Special Envoy Witkoff proposed to the Iranians was both realistic and acceptable within its terms, and that's why the president sent that deal to them."
Leavitt emphasized Trump’s stance that Iran "can and should make a deal" to end the conflict or "they will face grave consequences."
"Iran is in a very weak and vulnerable position because of the strikes and the attacks from Israel," she said. "We sent a deal to them that was practical, that was realistic."
According to French outlet RFI, the talks Friday with the Iranians will include French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
‘THE FIVE’ CONSIDERS ‘ALL OPTIONS’ ON TRUMP’S TABLE FOR ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT
A map shows where Iran's most important nuclear sites are situated. (Fox News/FDD)
The outlet reported Barrot saying, "France, Britain and Germany stand ready to bring our competence and experience on this matter" and "we are ready to take part in negotiations aimed at obtaining from Iran a lasting rollback of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs."
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Lammy Thursday. According to a statement by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the two discussed the Israeli-Iran conflict and "agreed Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon.
In response to additional questions about potential U.S. negotiations with Iran, a representative for the White House directed Fox News Digital to Leavitt's comments in the briefing room.
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/iran-talks-europeans-set-friday-white-house-sees-substantial-chance-renewed-negotiations