Trump Demands Nuclear Disarmament as Prerequisite for Iran Peace Deal
In a significant development, US President Donald Trump has declared that any potential resolution to the ongoing conflict with Iran is strictly dependent on the complete removal of nuclear threats from Tehran. Speaking to reporters in Florida, the President outlined a firm stance, emphasizing that diplomatic progress hinges on Iran abandoning its nuclear ambitions.
Core Requirements for a Diplomatic Breakthrough
President Trump explicitly stated, "We want to see no nuclear bomb, no nuclear weapon." He further indicated that as part of a final settlement, the United States intends to take possession of Iran's highly enriched uranium, which he referred to as "the nuclear dust." Asserting confidence in this demand, Trump added, "We're gonna want that. And I think we're gonna get that. We've agreed to that."
High-Level Negotiations and Iranian Leadership Dynamics
The President revealed that the US is currently engaged in negotiations with a "top person" within the Iranian regime to conclude the war, clarifying that these discussions do not involve the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. When questioned about the identity of the Iranian counterpart, Trump described the contact as "a top person," noting significant attrition within Iran's traditional hierarchy due to military actions.
He remarked, "Don't forget: We've wiped out the leadership phase one, phase two and largely phase three. But we're dealing with a man who I believe is the most respected and the leader." Trump added that while envoys like Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are active in the talks, he would not identify the specific Iranian individual involved.
Dismissal of Supreme Leader and Regime Change Implications
Regarding Supreme Leader Khamenei, Trump remained dismissive, stating, "No, not the Supreme Leader." He noted uncertainty about Khamenei's status, saying, "Every once in a while you'll see a statement made, but we don't know if he's living. I don't consider him really the leader." The President suggested that the conflict has triggered a transition of power, pointing to early military strikes and stating, "There's automatically a regime change." However, he expressed optimism about his current interlocutors, describing them as "very reasonable, very solid."
Economic Sanctions and Global Energy Considerations
On the economic front, Trump downplayed the significance of easing sanctions on certain Iranian oil stockpiles, framed as a measure to mitigate a worsening global energy crisis. He told reporters, "I just want to have as much oil in the system as possible," arguing that any revenue reaching Tehran would be negligible and would not impact the war. He further questioned the regime's ability to access funds, stating, "We don't even know if Iran gets that money. Frankly, I think it's very hard, very hard for them to get it."
Strategic Breakthrough on Strait of Hormuz
A major breakthrough appears possible regarding the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which the President claimed will be "open very soon" if current negotiations maintain their pace. Trump envisioned a future where the shipping route is "jointly controlled" by the US and Iran, stating, "It'll be jointly controlled. Me and the Ayatollah, whoever the Ayatollah is, whoever the next Ayatollah is."
Progress in Talks and Clear Timeframe
The President confirmed that talks involving his top envoys proceeded late into Sunday evening, identifying "major points of agreement." Characterizing the progress as significant, he said the discussions "went, I would say, perfectly," and added that Iran had initiated the contact. He established a clear timeframe for the diplomatic effort, warning, "We're doing a five-day period, we'll see how that goes. That if it goes well we're going to end up with settling this. Otherwise, we just keep bombing our little hearts out." Trump indicated that further phone calls on Monday would lead to an in-person meeting "very, very soon."
