US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would prefer to reach a deal with Iran rather than launch further military action, but stressed that Washington would not allow Tehran to develop nuclear
weapons.
Speaking at an event in Las Vegas, Trump said the United States had weakened Iran through recent military action but remained open to diplomacy.
“We are knocking the hell out of them. I would rather make a deal, because I do not want to kill people,” Trump said.
He compared the US approach in Iran with its actions in Venezuela, claiming Washington had benefited from both situations. Trump also said a much larger military operation had been planned but was halted after Iran sought talks.
“We were set for the biggest attack since World War II, and they called me and said, ‘Please don’t do it. Let’s talk.’… We are talking. Let’s see what happens,” he said.
Trump reiterated that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons. “They respect us… No other president has done what should have been done a long time ago because Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he added.
Trump’s comments come after days of mixed messaging, with Trump alternating between threatening strikes on Iran and expressing confidence that an agreement could be reached “soon”.
Iran finalising Hormuz deal with Oman
Trump’s remarks came as Iran announced progress on a separate agreement with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the agreement was in the “final stage” of drafting and that a joint statement would be issued if “certain parties” did not obstruct the process, in an apparent reference to the United States.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also said the two countries were “on the verge of finalising” the agreement, with almost all issues resolved.
He said the talks with Oman were strictly bilateral and denied reports that Iran was negotiating with Washington over the strategic waterway.
(With inputs from agencies)
