Trump’s Views on Iran’s New Leadership and Nuclear Deal

President Trump shared his thoughts on Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei during a recent interview, expressing a belief that he might be more “reasonable” than his father. He also claimed that a deal with Iran is “very close.”

Responding to concerns about potential military engagement, Trump dismissed the notion that the U.S. is entangled in another “endless war.” He emphasized the pressing goal of acquiring Iran’s enriched uranium, stating it as a primary focus.

In his interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” when asked about Mojtaba in relation to his late father, Trump offered a succinct comparison: “Younger. I think he’s more reasonable.”

Trump mentioned that Mojtaba was “wounded” in the attack that claimed his father’s life and noted that this injury reflects a certain type of courage.

After weeks of conflict, a ceasefire was arranged between the U.S. and Iran on April 8, leading to ongoing negotiations aimed at establishing a peace agreement.

The President is advocating for Iran to surrender its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, which is close to being weapons-grade. Meanwhile, some officials in his administration have pushed for the extraction of 20% enriched uranium as well, though it’s unclear if that would be a deal-breaker for Trump.

Regarding the negotiations, Trump asserted, “I think we’re very close. There are a few things… Those don’t even seem like big issues. They’ve accepted the fact that they don’t have nuclear weapons.”

Recently, Trump called for amendments to the framework for the broader peace deal with Iran.

He also pointed out that the U.S. blockade is causing Iran to lose approximately $400 million to $500 million daily, describing this situation as “not sustainable” for them. This blockade was implemented in April due to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

When asked about Iran’s reluctance to concede, Trump remarked, “They’re strong. They’re proud. Things they never thought they would do are going to have to be done. They don’t have a choice. And it’s going to take some time.” He referred to “47 years of running away” from the associated challenges.

The ongoing conflict has caused some division within Trump’s base, particularly among those who supported his stance against prolonged military engagements. However, he has rebuffed these criticisms.

Trump stated, “I’m not promising anything. I don’t like endless wars like this. This is not an endless war. We’ve been doing this for three months, and a lot of it is under wraps.” He emphasized the effectiveness of recent military actions, stating that the U.S. had significantly diminished Iran’s capabilities in a matter of days.

In the same interview, Trump reiterated his willingness to consider military action to secure Iran’s highly enriched uranium, an operation that many view as fraught with complexity and risk. Yet, he also expressed a desire to work with U.S. troops in the event of a successful agreement with the Iranian regime.

When posed with whether he would employ military force, Trump confirmed, “Yes.” He stressed that this would hinge on striking a favorable deal, suggesting that if an agreement is reached, arrangements could be made for the U.S. to manage the equipment, whether it remains in Iran or is removed. Conversely, he noted that without an agreement, a strict military position would be maintained until they achieve a safe exit.