US, Cuba aim to resolve issues through dialogue

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States could soon reach a deal with Cuba or take other action, ‌signaling that developments in the long-strained relationship may come quickly.

"Cuba also wants to make a deal, and I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do," Trump told reporters on Air Force One. "We're talking to Cuba, but we're going to do Iran before Cuba."

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel confirmed for the first time last week that Cuban officials have held talks with the United States.

"These talks have been aimed at finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences we have between the two nations," Diaz-Canel said in a video aired on state ‌television on Friday. He stated that Cuba is willing to advance dialogue based on equality and mutual respect for the political systems, sovereignty and right to self-determination of both countries.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on social media on Saturday that the dialogue between Cuba and the United States does not touch on the internal affairs or constitutional systems of either country, nor does it address their respective political, economic or social models.

(With input from Reuters)