‘Totally up to them’: Trump says he ‘couldn’t care less’ if Iran negotiates with US or not

US President Donald Trump said his maximum pressure campaign against Iran is not about bringing it to the negotiating table, but ensuring that Tehran doesn’t obtain nuclear weapons or kill protesters.

“Actually, I couldn’t care less if they negotiate. Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and 'don’t kill your protesters',” Trump said in a tweet Sunday night, contradicting the narrative of National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien.

O'Brien told Fox News earlier that he believes the “maximum pressure" sanctions campaign, which cripples Iran's economy, coupled with anti-government protests in the streets, are working, and Tehran is now being forced into a corner.

Iran is being choked off, and Iran is going to have no other choice but to come to the table.

President Donald Trump spent the last couple of days tweeting support to the protesters and warnings to Tehran, both in English and Farsi. On Sunday, he demanded that Tehran "stop the killing of your great Iranian people." 

There are no confirmed reports of deaths during the latest protests, even though law enforcement had to deploy tear gas and water cannons against an agitated crowd on several occasions.

Meanwhile, the UK envoy’s detention during an anti-government rally in Tehran sparked a diplomatic scandal. Rob Macaire was arrested outside of Amirkabir University in Tehran, as part of a group of people attending a chaotic vigil held for the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crash, which turned into an anti-government rally. According to Iranian state media, the official was seeking “to organize, instigate and direct some radical and destructive actions.” The envoy, summoned on Sunday by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, says he was at a “peaceful vigil” for the victims of the plane crash.

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