The fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, says,
"I suspect, though, that from Iranian officials public comments, they would not
be prepared to meet with Trump on the basis of his unpredictability,
irrationality, and incoherence.”
Following is the text of the interview:
Q: Donald Trump said he would be willing to meet Iranian President Hassan
Rouhani with "no preconditions”. What are the reasons behind this decision?
A: I would not take this as a decision. This is a statement and, as the
Secretary of State told Congress last week, the statements of the president are
apparently not supposed to be understood to be policy. This is confusing not
only to you but also to the American people.
As for what motivated him, I think he's been clear that his main objection to
most things is that he was not responsible for them. He believes any agreement
he negotiates is the best one and that any decision he reaches is, likewise, the
best. Consequently, I think he believes that if he met with Rouhani, he could
solve all U.S. problems with Iran. And, this he has said since the presidential
campaign.
Q: After Trump's statement on no preconditions' meeting with Iran, U.S.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared on CNBC hours later to set some
conditions. What are the reasons for this contradiction in Washington?
A: Ultimately, it is because there are sharp cleavages in the Trump
Administration about virtually every foreign policy matter. Pompeo was
attempting to reassert control over the Iran policy.
Q: What if Trump is honest in his words but his own administration especially
national security advisor John Bolton or U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
disagree with his vision for talks? Is there any possibility that they would be
fired from the administration?
A: Perhaps, but Trump himself also said that he would be prepared to launch a
war against Iran. I think that his opinion about what we ought to do changes
moment by moment. I do not think he would fire Bolton or Pompeo over this. He
may fire them in the future if he decides they are disloyal or too public
profile.
Q: Former U.S. deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman tweeted "Iran just might
have a precondition- (Trump) rejoin the community of nations in support of the
JCPOA”. What’s your opinion on this matter?
A: Well, obviously, I agree with Wendy that this would be in the U.S. national
interest.
I also agree with Wendy that, I would assume, this would be one of Iran's core
demands of any negotiation.
I suspect, though, that from Iranian official’s public comments, they would not
be prepared to meet with Trump on the basis of his unpredictability,
irrationality, and incoherence.
Source: Tehran Times