International
Trump Expresses Frustration Over Iran Nuclear Talks, Warns “They Cannot Have Nuclear Weapons”
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with ongoing nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran, saying the United States is not getting the assurances it considers necessary.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump said he was “not happy” with the current state of discussions but indicated that further rounds of talks were expected.
“I’m not happy with the fact that they’re not willing to give us what we have to have. We’re not exactly happy with the way they’re negotiating,” he said. Reiterating Washington’s longstanding position, Trump added, “They can not have nuclear weapons.”
His comments come a day after nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iranian officials in Geneva ended without a breakthrough. The stalled negotiations have further heightened tensions between the two countries, particularly as American military forces continue to position assets in the region.
Trump has previously warned that the United States could consider military action if Iran refuses to agree to a comprehensive deal limiting its nuclear activities. Tehran, however, maintains that its nuclear programme is strictly for peaceful purposes and insists it has the sovereign right to enrich uranium.
When asked about the possibility of the U.S. becoming entangled in a prolonged Middle East conflict if strikes were launched against Iran, Trump acknowledged the risks.
“I guess you could say there’s always a risk. When there’s war, there’s a risk of anything, both good and bad,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, the U.S. State Department announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Israel early next week. The announcement followed an advisory from the U.S. Embassy in Israel encouraging staff members who wish to leave to depart, amid concerns that tensions in the region could escalate.
Rubio’s planned visit may signal that diplomatic engagements are still underway, potentially extending the timeline before any military decision is made.
Meanwhile, a confidential report from the International Atomic Energy Agency indicated that inspectors have not been granted access to certain sensitive Iranian nuclear facilities since they were heavily bombed during a 12-day conflict initiated by Israel last June. As a result, the agency said it can not independently verify Iran’s claim that uranium enrichment activities ceased following the U.S. and Israeli strikes.
With negotiations unresolved and military rhetoric intensifying, uncertainty continues to surround the future of U.S.–Iran relations.
The United Kingdom has reinforced its partnership with Bayelsa State following a three-day working visit by the British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Mrs Gill Lever OBE, aimed at consolidating gains in community security, youth development, governance, and women’s empowerment.
The visit centred on the UK-funded Serious and Organised Crime Prevent Programme, locally known as the Brighter Futures Programme, which supports vulnerable young people with skills training, mentoring, and resilience-building initiatives to prevent their recruitment into criminal networks.
The programme, which recorded an 80 per cent success rate in diverting at-risk youths from organised crime, is set to conclude its current phase in March 2026.
Full ownership will transition to the Bayelsa State Government, marking what officials described as a significant milestone in local capacity-building and sustainability.
During the visit, Mrs Lever met with Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to review the programme’s progress and formally recognise his role in advancing youth-focused security initiatives.
The UK acknowledged the governor as a Prevent Ambassador in recognition of his support and commitment to the programme’s objectives.
Discussions also explored opportunities to expand the initiative to additional local government areas and vulnerable communities.
The delegation also held talks with the First Lady of Bayelsa State, Dr Gloria Diri, focusing on strategies to enhance women’s political participation, strengthen leadership development pathways, and broaden support systems for women and girls across the state.
In a broad stakeholder engagement, the Deputy High Commissioner met with civil society organisations including the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Bayelsa Non-Governmental Organisations Forum (BANGOF), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Fringe Voices, and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria.
The session examined issues surrounding governance, civic engagement, youth vulnerability, and emerging security trends.
Mrs Lever also paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo (Agada IV), Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, where discussions highlighted the role of traditional institutions in promoting peace, community cohesion, and positive youth engagement.
At a community town hall meeting in Amarata, beneficiaries of the Brighter Futures Programme shared testimonies of how the initiative had equipped them with marketable skills and new opportunities, particularly in Amarata and Amassoma communities.
The visit comes ahead of a significant diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to undertake a state visit to the UK from March 18–19, 2026; the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years, hosted at Windsor Castle by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties under the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership and the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), with a focus on sustainable growth, security cooperation, and economic expansion
A member of the United States Congress, Riley Moore, has raised concerns over the security situation in Nigeria, alleging that Christians have disproportionately suffered from violent attacks over the past two decades.
Moore, who represents West Virginia, called for stronger U.S. engagement and enhanced bilateral efforts to address what he described as escalating insecurity in the country. While acknowledging that violence affects Nigerians across religious lines, he maintained that Christians have borne the greatest impact.
“Violence and insecurity in Nigeria affects people of all faiths, but Christians bear the overwhelming brunt of the attacks and have suffered in silence for two decades,” Moore said.
He urged decisive American action to confront the crisis and support measures aimed at improving security and protecting vulnerable communities.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has firmly denied ever meeting disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, telling lawmakers she has no recollection of any interaction with him and no knowledge of his crimes.
Clinton made the declaration on Thursday during a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, New York.
In a written statement issued during the session, she said she never boarded Epstein’s private jet, visited his properties, or had any encounter with him.
The testimony comes amid renewed congressional scrutiny over Epstein’s connections to powerful political and business figures before his 2019 jail death while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.
Political Tensions Rise
Clinton accused the Republican-led committee of attempting to deflect attention from President Donald Trump and his past social relationship with Epstein.
She also criticized the Trump administration, alleging it weakened a State Department office tasked with fighting global sex trafficking.
The deposition briefly stalled after a photo of Clinton during the session surfaced on social media. According to her adviser Nick Merrill, the image violated committee rules. Conservative commentator Benny Johnson posted the photo, claiming it was taken by Republican Representative Lauren Boebert.
Contempt Threat Forced Testimony
Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, had initially resisted appearing before the panel. They agreed to testify only after lawmakers initiated contempt proceedings.
Bill Clinton is expected to face questioning on Friday.
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer dismissed claims that the probe is politically driven, noting that some Democrats had also supported calling the Clintons to testify.
“No one is accusing the Clintons of wrongdoing at this point,” Comer said, adding that the panel wants clarity on any potential contact with Epstein, his involvement in the Clintons’ charitable initiatives, and possible links to Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently imprisoned.
Comer said transcripts of both interviews will be released publicly.
Democrats Demand Broader Accountability
Representative Robert Garcia, the committee’s ranking Democrat, countered that the investigation should not stop with the Clintons. He called for testimony from Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who has acknowledged visiting Epstein’s private island years after cutting ties with him.
Garcia also accused the Justice Department of withholding portions of nearly three million Epstein-related documents recently made public. He claimed the missing records include allegations from a woman who accused Trump of sexual abuse when she was a minor.
In Washington, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would review unredacted materials and urged the Justice Department to safeguard all related records.
The department has stated it is reviewing whether any documents were improperly withheld and has warned that some released materials contain unverified or sensational claims.
Authorities have not charged Trump with any crimes connected to Epstein. The two were known to have socialized in the 1990s and early 2000s before Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Comer said the committee has not uncovered evidence implicating Trump.
While Bill Clinton has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s private jet several times after leaving office, he has denied any misconduct and expressed regret over the association. Comer also stated that Epstein visited the White House 17 times during Clinton’s presidency.
Recently released documents have further highlighted Epstein’s links to prominent figures across politics and business, including Lutnick and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.