WASHINGTON, July 6: U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has offered concessions during ongoing nuclear negotiations, but acknowledged that the proposed compromises have not yet been finalized.
Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, Trump said the United States had received “some concessions” from Tehran and stressed that Iran must remain committed to those promises if negotiations are to move forward.
Trump also asserted that Washington would be allowed to remove Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium under a potential agreement. However, Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed that they have agreed to such a provision.
The U.S. president further said that the objective of recent military operations had never been to overthrow Iran’s current government. His remarks appeared to contrast with statements he made on the first night of the campaign, when he urged the Iranian people to take control of their country after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes ended.
“We may be close to a deal… I don’t know,” Trump said. “But we will win one way or another. Either we make a deal, or we finish the job.”
Despite Trump’s optimistic assessment, there are currently no formal negotiations taking place between Washington and Tehran. Both sides have reportedly agreed to pause talks this week due to mourning ceremonies following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Referring to the Iranian population, Trump said he would prefer to reach a diplomatic settlement rather than inflict further hardship on the country’s estimated 91 million people.
“I would rather make a deal because I don’t want to hurt 91 million people,” he said.
Trump also claimed that the United States has so far refrained from targeting much of Iran’s civilian infrastructure but warned that such action remains an option if deemed necessary.
The remarks come amid continued uncertainty over the future of U.S.-Iran nuclear diplomacy and regional tensions in the Middle East.
Source: Times of Israel.
