On Wednesday, President Trump expressed to Saudi Arabia’s Gulf leader his desire to discuss nuclear agreements related to Iran.
“I want to make a deal with Iran. If we can do something, I am all for it. However, for that to occur, they need to stop their terrifying sponsorships, end the bloody proxy wars, and commit to a verified halt in their pursuit of nuclear weapons,” he stated.
He emphasized, “They absolutely cannot have nuclear weapons.”
Trump also criticized the Biden administration for allegedly “empowering Iran,” asserting, “Those days are done.”
On Tuesday, at a US-Saudi investment forum in Riyadh, Trump offered what he called a “branch of olives,” adopting a somewhat gentler tone towards Iran. However, he issued a stern warning that noncompliance would lead to consequences.
“I want to sign a deal with Iran. If a business opportunity arises, I’d be thrilled,” Trump remarked on Tuesday. “We are working to ensure the safety of your region and the world. Yet, if the Iranian leadership continues to dismiss this olive branch and attacks our neighbors, we will have no option but to impose maximum pressure at a large scale.”
During his initial term, Trump withdrew the US from the nuclear agreement established during the Obama administration, which provided sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on Iran’s nuclear activities. Recently, he has appeared open to the idea of a civilian nuclear program, while maintaining that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons.
The Biden administration countered by lifting sanctions on Iran and criticized Trump for allegedly bolstering Tehran’s position.
