Negotiators representing European nations and Iran concluded their discussions in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday without achieving a clear breakthrough, though diplomats conveyed to The Associated Press their optimism for further talks with the Iranians.

These discussions with Iran took place a day after President Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, delivered a statement from the President, announcing, “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”

A former official from the Pentagon indicates that a critical issue remains unaddressed.

“If Iran gives up its nuclear program as Trump has demanded, there’s another problem we’re not talking about, which is how do we get all the nuclear material outside of Iran,” Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, informed Digital.

Rubin, who has resided in , Yemen, and both pre- and postwar Iraq, highlighted that several options are available.

“The United States could do it, but we don’t want boots on the ground.”

He suggested that the International Atomic Energy Agency could be assigned this task, adding, “Who really trusts the United Nations and U.N. agencies?”

“If Trump is serious about getting Iran to forfeit its nuclear program, it’s time to start having a conversation with other allies about who could take command, control and custody of this nuclear material until it’s outside of Iran.”

Rubin stated he would propose India to take possession of the nuclear material.

“They are trusted by the Americans, they’re trusted by the Israelis and they’re trusted by the Iranians. But we need to start not only being reactive, but also proactive,” Rubin commented.

Rubin recalled a statement Margaret Thatcher made to George H.W. Bush in 1990 —  “Don’t go wobbly on me now, George” — when Saddam Hussein invaded Iraq. 

“I suspect is filling Margaret Thatcher’s britches, that he is the one going around now to our European allies, saying, ‘Don’t go wobbly on me now.,’” Rubin remarked.

“[He] is saying this to everyone else within the and the United Kingdom because if the Europeans have their choice, they’re going to choose quiet over common sense.”

On Thursday, Rubio conferred with his counterparts to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. 

According to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, he engaged in separate conversations with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot regarding the persisting conflict. 

Bruce noted that they all concurred to “continue to work together closely to commit to a path of peace and ensure that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon.”

Louis Casiano and