Trump’s pressure on Iran to strike a deal spills over on Gulf allies
The demands on Iran are becoming clearer as President Donald Trump sheds more light on a potential deal during a cabinet meeting.
The president made it clear that negotiations with Iran don’t include monetary benefits for the Islamic Republic.
“No, we’re not talking about any easing of sanctions or giving money,” Trump told reporters during the cabinet meeting.
The president claimed Iran is “negotiating on fumes,” as pressure mounts on the Islamic Republic to make a deal, adding that their economy is in peril and “their money has no value.”
Trump reiterated threats against Iran if it doesn’t make a deal, after the president touted progress towards agreeing on a memorandum of understanding with the country over the weekend.
“They’re starting to give us things that they have to give us, and if they do, that’s great, and if they won’t, then the man on my left [Sec. Pete Hegseth] is going to finish them off,” Trump warned.
The president addressed concerns regarding the Strait of Hormuz, which has been essentially closed since the initial days of the U.S. strikes on Iran.
Trump quashed any talk of allowing Iran or any other country, specifically Oman, of controlling the strait and charging fees.
“The strait is going to be open to everybody. It’s international waters. We’ll watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it,” said the president. “Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up. They understand that.”
It is unclear if Trump misspoke or meant his comment on Oman, a country the U.S. considers an ally in the region.
Trump emphasized that any deal would result in the strait being opened immediately.
In addition to Iran, the president is putting pressure on many Gulf allies to join the Abraham Accords.
Trump is pushing for countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar to join the Abraham Accords, arguing that those countries “owe” the U.S.
“I’m not sure we should make a deal if they don’t sign,” said the president, speaking of some of the Gulf allies.
Trump won’t give a timeline or deadline for Iran to make a deal, but has said that time is on the side of the U.S.
A ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has been in effect since April 8. It has been tested, most recently over the weekend when the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire over Iran reportedly planting mines in the strait, leading to Iran launching missile strikes against U.S. forces. In response, the U.S. struck some missile launchers inside Iran.
Previously, the president described the ceasefire as being on “life support.” Despite the tense exchanges, Trump maintains the ceasefire, and talks remain ongoing.
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