President Donald Trump on Friday suggested the possibility of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, while also expressing dissatisfaction with ongoing negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program. The remarks came as Trump departed the White House for a trip to Corpus Cristi, Texas, to discuss his energy agenda.
Regarding Cuba, Trump indicated his administration had been in talks with the Cuban government, opening the door to a potential shift in U.S. Policy. “Maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba,” he stated, according to reports from CNN and NBC News. This follows a recent incident where Cuban soldiers opened fire on a boat approaching the island, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including a U.S. Citizen, as reported by NBC News.
The President’s comments on Iran were more critical. He stated he was “not happy” with the progress of negotiations concerning Tehran’s nuclear program, which concluded Thursday without a significant breakthrough. According to the South Florida Reporter, Trump warned that “sometimes you have to use force” if Iran does not agree to forgo nuclear weapons. This rhetoric aligns with a reported U.S. Military buildup in the Middle East, including the positioning of the USS Gerald Ford and multiple carrier strike groups in the region.
Negotiations with Iran have been led by U.S. Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who remain in contact with mediators. Trump indicated that further talks scheduled for today would determine whether a previously mentioned 10-day timeline would lead to military action, the South Florida Reporter noted.
The developments surrounding Cuba and Iran occurred against the backdrop of a partial government shutdown in the United States, impacting the Department of Homeland Security. The White House has issued a counteroffer to congressional Democrats in an attempt to end the shutdown, but negotiations remain ongoing. Democrats are seeking reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and border patrol operations, following recent deaths of American citizens, according to CNN.
The President’s statements on Cuba and Iran were delivered in a wide-ranging press gaggle, where he also addressed the legal cases involving Bill and Hillary Clinton and Jeffrey Epstein, as reported by NBC News. No further details were provided regarding the specifics of the Cuban government’s discussions with the Trump administration.
