US House Minority Leader accuses Trump of lying about Iran's nuclear programme

New York (ANTARA) - US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that US President Donald Trump has lied about Iran. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday local time, after a briefing session for senior members of Congress with Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, Jeffries referred to Trump’s previous claim that last year’s attack “completely and totally” destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities. “Clearly, he (Trump) has lied to the American people, or is currently lying. I plan to press them regarding the claims made by Donald Trump about Iran’s nuclear programme and how urgent the situation is,” said Jeffries. Ahead of President Trump’s annual speech on Tuesday evening local time, Foreign Minister Rubio held a meeting with leaders of the House and Senate, as well as the chair and senior members of the intelligence committees of both, also known as the “Gang of Eight”. The “Gang of Eight” refers to the eight senior US congressional officials who, by law, are briefed on the latest and most sensitive intelligence and security information. Following the 12-day war involving the US and Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities, indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington have resumed, despite threats and contradictory statements from the US. The first round of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington was held in Muscat on February 6. The Iranian and American negotiating teams exchanged views through Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. Subsequently, the second round took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 17 and ended after about 3 hours and 30 minutes of intensive diplomatic consultations. Both meetings, as with previous rounds, were held indirectly with mediation by the Sultanate of Oman. Meanwhile, the next round of talks is scheduled to be held this Thursday, with the location also in Geneva. Source: IRNA-OANA