Trump Hints at a New Nuclear Deal with Iran, Aiming to Avoid Military Strikes
In a shift from his first term, Trump expresses optimism about diplomatic negotiations with Iran, emphasizing strict verification measures to prevent nuclear weapons development.
Watan-U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he hopes to reach a new nuclear agreement with Iran and avoid carrying out strikes on its nuclear sites.
In an interview with the American “Fox News” channel, broadcast on Thursday evening, Trump said, “I want them (the Iranians) to have a great country with great potential. The people are amazing (..). The only thing I’ve said about Iran is that they cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
When asked whether he trusts Iran’s leaders to reach a nuclear agreement without them violating it and developing a nuclear weapon, he replied: “There are ways to ensure this absolutely if a deal is made. Any deal must be verified ten times.”
He expressed that it is possible to reach a new nuclear agreement with Iran if its details are carefully negotiated.
He added, “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If they get one, then everyone will get one, and in that case, the whole thing would be catastrophic.”
In response to a question by a journalist about whether he would support strikes on these sites, Trump said he would discuss the issue with “very high-level people,” without specifying who or when.
He stated, “It would be really good if we could solve this problem without needing to strike Iran’s nuclear sites.”
A separate report published by Fox News on Thursday mentioned that Trump would appoint his envoy to the Middle East, Steven Witkoff, as a central figure in his administration’s diplomatic efforts toward Iran.
Trump’s team includes a range of perspectives on Iran, including voices like National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Senator Marco Rubio, who became Secretary of State and favored a tougher approach toward Iran.
Similarly, the British Financial Times newspaper, citing unnamed informed sources, reported that President Trump is ready to proceed with diplomatic efforts before increasing pressure on Tehran.
It added that this approach marks a significant shift from Trump’s first term, during which he, led by former National Security Adviser John Bolton, pursued a strong pressure campaign, ultimately failing to bring Iran back to negotiations on its nuclear program.
In 2018, Trump withdrew from the agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Iran had signed with six world powers—China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—in Vienna on July 14, 2015.
The European Union was also a signatory to the agreement, which saw Tehran receive billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for accepting unprecedented restrictions and inspections on its nuclear program.
