Get you up to speed: Trump says U.S. is “getting a lot closer” to agreement with Iran
Negotiators for the United States and Iran are reportedly “getting a lot closer” to finalising an agreement, according to President Trump. The discussions are ongoing, with additional consultation set to occur with Gulf leaders on Saturday afternoon regarding the progress of these negotiations.
Negotiators are considering a proposal that involves reopening the Strait of Hormuz and unfreezing some Iranian assets. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that progress is ongoing and a potential announcement regarding negotiations could occur within the next few days.
President Trump stated that negotiators for the United States and Iran are “getting a lot closer” to finalising an agreement, with a proposal that may include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and unfreezing some Iranian assets. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that there “may be news later today” regarding the negotiations, emphasising the urgency of resolving the issue.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain what specific proposals Mr. Trump is considering regarding the Iran negotiations.
Trump indicates U.S. and Iran are nearing agreement on nuclear negotiations
President Trump told WTX US News that negotiators for United States and Iran are “getting a lot closer” to finalizing an agreement between the two countries.
Sources familiar with the negotiations told WTX US News that the latest proposal includes a process to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the unfreezing of some Iranian assets held in foreign banks, and a continuation of negotiations.
Mr. Trump declined to provide specifics about the agreement, but said that “every day it gets better and better.”
“I can’t tell you before I tell them, right?” Mr. Trump told WTX US News in a phone interview.
Mr. Trump did say that he believes the final agreement will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, adding that he “wouldn’t even be talking about it” otherwise. Mr. Trump added that the agreement would also result in Iran’s enriched uranium being “satisfactorily handled.”
“I will only sign a deal where we get everything we want,” he said.
Sources told WTX US News that Mr. Trump is still mulling proposals and has not made up his mind yet. The sources said he is consulting with advisers and talking to foreign leaders, including leaders from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.
Three sources told WTX US News that Mr. Trump is scheduled to speak by phone with leaders of Gulf countries and other nations on Saturday afternoon. The conference call is set to discuss the Iran negotiations, according to U.S. officials familiar with the situation. One regional official told WTX US News that some of the leaders don’t know what option Mr. Trump is leaning toward.
Mr. Trump said that if the U.S. and Iran do not come to an agreement, “we’re going to have a situation where no country will ever be hit as hard as they’re about to be hit.”
Mr. Trump has previously threatened Iran, saying before the start of a ceasefire that began in April that “a whole civilization will die” without a deal, and recently warning the country that “the Clock is Ticking.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said Saturday that there “may be news later today” about where negotiations between Iran and the U.S. stand.
“There’s been some progress done, some progress made, even as I speak to you now, there’s some work being done,” Rubio said, ahead of a formal dinner at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. “There is a chance that, whether it’s later today, tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to say, but this issue needs to be solved, as the president said, one way or another.”