Trump ‘not happy’ with Iran as more talks on nuclear programme expected

US President Donald Trump said he is “not happy” with the latest talks over Iran’s nuclear programme but indicated he would give negotiators more time to reach a deal to avert another war in the Middle East.

He spoke a day after US envoys held another inconclusive round of indirect talks with Iran in Geneva.

As American forces gather in the region, Mr Trump has threatened military action if Iran does not agree to a far-reaching deal on its nuclear programme, while Iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and denies seeking a nuclear weapon.

“I’m not happy with the fact that they’re not willing to give us what we have to have,” Mr Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Friday.

“I’m not thrilled with that. We’ll see what happens. We’re talking later.

“We’re not exactly happy with the way they’re negotiating. They cannot have nuclear weapons.”

Mr Trump was asked about the risks of the US getting involved in a drawn-out conflict if it strikes Iran.

“I guess you could say there’s always a risk,” Mr Trump replied.

“You know, when there’s war, there’s a risk of anything, both good and bad.”

US secretary of state Marco Rubio plans to make a quick trip to Israel early next week, the State Department said.

The US embassy in Israel had earlier urged staff who want to leave to depart, joining other nations in encouraging people to leave the region and signalling that US military action might be imminent.

The announcement of Mr Rubio’s visit, and Mr Trump’s latest remarks, could indicate a longer timeline for any potential strike.

The State Department said Mr Rubio would visit Israel on Monday and Tuesday to “discuss a range of regional priorities including Iran, Lebanon, and ongoing efforts to implement President Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza”.

It offered no other details.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long urged tougher US action against Iran, and has warned that Israel will respond to any Iranian attack.

A confidential report from the UN nuclear watchdog meanwhile confirmed that Iran has not offered inspectors access to sensitive nuclear sites since they were heavily bombed during the 12-day war launched by Israel last June.

As a result, it said it could not confirm Iran’s claims that it stopped uranium enrichment after the US and Israeli strikes.

The report was circulated to member countries and seen by The Associated Press.

The announcement of Mr Rubio’s visit came just hours after the US embassy in Jerusalem implemented “authorised departure” status for non-essential personnel and family members, which means that eligible staffers can leave the country voluntarily at government expense.

In an email, US ambassador Mike Huckabee urged staff considering departure to do so quickly, advising them to focus on getting any flight out of Israel and to then make their way to Washington.

“Those wishing to take AD should do so TODAY,” Mr Huckabee wrote, using an acronym for “authorised departure”.

“While there may be outbound flights over the coming days, there may not be,” he added.

The email was recounted to The Associated Press by someone involved with the US mission who was not authorised to share details.

On a town-hall meeting on Friday after the email was sent, Mr Huckabee told staff that he was encouraging airlines to keep flying.

Iran and the United States on Thursday walked away from another round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva without a deal.

Technical discussions are scheduled to take place in Vienna next week.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday said “what needs to happen has been clearly spelled out from our side”, without offering specifics.

Iran has long demanded relief from heavy international sanctions in return for taking steps to limit but not end its nuclear programme.

Oman’s foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has been mediating the talks, met on Friday with US vice president JD Vance to discuss the negotiations.

“I am grateful for their engagement and look forward to further and decisive progress in the coming days,” Mr al-Busaidi posted on X.

“Peace is within our reach.”

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, meanwhile met with Christopher Yeaw, a US arms control official.

Mr Grossi posted on X that the two men had a “timely exchange on current non-proliferation issues, including in Iran and other areas of common interest”.

The UN chief urged Iran and the US “to focus on the diplomatic track”.

“We’re seeing both positive messages coming out of the diplomatic tracks, which we’re continuing to encourage,” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said, according to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

“We’re also seeing very worrying military movements throughout the region, which is extremely concerning as well.”