Iran ‘not going to make the kind of deal I feel is necessary,’ says Trump as 60-day deal deadline lapses
The US president's remarks come as the deadline set under the June agreement expired, with the Hormuz still restricted and substantive negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme yet to resume.
US President Donald Trump, on Monday (Aug 17), said Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and that Tehran is unlikely to accept the kind of deal he considers necessary for the agreement as the 60-day negotiating period between both sides ended.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. They’re not going to make the kind of deal I feel is necessary,” he said on being asked if Washington was any closer to a deal with Iran to end its nuclear programme.
VIDEO | Washington DC, USA: “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. They’re not going to make the kind of deal I feel is necessary,” says US President Donald Trump.
He further said that he likes the idea of declaring the Strait of Hormuz a territory, claiming the US has total control over the strategic waterway.
“I like the idea of declaring the Strait of Hormuz a territory; we have total control over it,” Trump said during a press briefing.
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He further said that the US is moving millions of barrels out of the strategic waterway.
“The strait is open, and the oil prices are coming down and will continue to come down unless we decide to do something far more drastic. Iran is in big trouble; they have 300% inflation. The country is a mess,” POTUS added.
The US president’s remarks come as the deadline set under the June agreement expired, with the Hormuz still restricted and substantive negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme yet to resume.
Earlier, Trump, in a post on his Truth Social handle, said that the primary focus of his administration is preventing Tehran from acquiring capabilities.
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“The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he stated.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi accuses Israel of sabotaging ceasefire deal with US
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel of actively sabotaging diplomatic efforts and said that it was the primary obstacle to a lasting ceasefire agreement with the United States, according to IRNA news agency.
“The Zionist regime was and remains the biggest opponent and obstacle to the implementation of the memorandum of understanding. They made every effort to prevent such an agreement from being reached, every effort to make this agreement fail, and every effort to prevent it from being implemented,” he said.
He further said that Trump’s demand for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” did not materialise, as Tehran accepted a ceasefire and negotiated with Washington on its own terms.
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Who “sought an unconditional surrender, within a short time of the war’s commencement, were begging for negotiations,” Araghchi said.
“It was us who said we would not accept a ceasefire and continued the war until we reached a point where they accepted a ceasefire and negotiations on Iran’s terms,” he added.
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