Indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran are set to take place today as President Donald Trump threatens Tehran with possible military action. This third round of indirect negotiations comes after Trump declared Iran was working to develop missiles that could “soon” reach the U.S. and that it was trying to restart its nuclear program. 

“There is a deal within reach. The real question here is whether President Trump wants to negotiate in good faith, whether he wants a deal or if he wants regime change,” says Osamah Khalil, professor of history and chair of the International Relations Undergraduate Program.

“And the Iranians have indicated...that they are willing to have a deal. What they want are their rights to enrich uranium that are guaranteed under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), that any country who signed onto the the NPT has,” Khalil says.

“But the Trump administration is insisting that there be no enrichment at all, and I think they need to cross that bridge and meet and decide whether or not they are going to back away from the demand of no enrichment. And if they do, then they can have a deal. If they don't—the Trump White House—then I think we're looking at the potential for real conflict that could have damaging implications globally and regionally,” says Khalil.

Watch the full interview via CBS News.

Khalil also spoke with WSYR-TV about the domestic impact of the conflict in the Middle East.