Trump: I’m Ready if Iran Wants to Negotiate

The US president said Iran’s economy has been weakened by sanctions and the Islamic Republic is seeking a deal. He added that if Iran intends to hold talks, he is also prepared. Meanwhile, Brian Hook announced the continuation of “maximum pressure” on Tehran.

On Thursday, May 30 (June 9), Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that US sanctions have caused economic damage and weakened Iran, and Tehran is seeking a deal.

One day before Trump’s remarks, the leader of the Islamic Republic announced that negotiations with America would yield nothing but harm. Khamenei on the evening of Wednesday, June 8, called negotiations a US tactic to complete its strategy of pressure on Iran and emphasized that the Islamic Republic will absolutely not enter into negotiations with America. He said “matters of honor and fundamental principles of the revolution” cannot be subjects of negotiation.

Brian Hook, head of the “Iran Action Group” at the US State Department, also told reporters that the United States will respond with military action if its interests are threatened by Iran.

Hook added that US actions in the Persian Gulf have been deterrent and have led to a reduction in risky behaviors by the Iranian regime.

He stated that Washington is continuing “maximum pressure” on the Iranian regime to change Tehran’s contradictory policies. A spokesperson for the US State Department had previously said that the campaign of maximum pressure on Iran is working and will continue until Iran returns to the negotiating table for a new agreement.

The US military, amid current tensions with Iran, sent an aircraft carrier and several B-52 bombers to the region to send clear signals in response to Iran’s threats. Concurrent with Hook’s remarks, John Bolton, the White House’s National Security Advisor, announced that America’s immediate response and operational involvement prevented Iranian threats. Bolton said the United States is not pursuing a regime change policy in Iran.

When asked whether China and India could continue importing oil from Iran, Brian Hook said: “There will no longer be any exemptions or exceptions for any country in importing oil from Iran.” Hook added that any country that violates sanctions on Iran will itself become subject to sanctions.

Emergency Meetings of Arab Leaders

The remarks by Trump, Bolton, and Hook were made on the eve of meetings of foreign ministers and senior officials from Arab and Islamic countries in Mecca and Jeddah. The focus of these meetings is reviewing current tensions and developments in the region and how to deal with “Iranian interference.”

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister called on Islamic countries to confront Iran’s recent attacks with all their might. Ibrahim Al-Assaf said: “Sabotage of four ships in Al-Fujairah port in the UAE and attacks by Iran-backed Houthis with drones on Saudi oil facilities require serious measures against terrorist operations and extremist group movements.”

Al-Assaf added that the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League should stand against these actions with all their strength and capacity.

News agencies report that Riyadh’s aim from these meetings is to encourage participants to push Iran toward isolation.

Tehran has rejected any involvement in the mentioned attacks.

Source: DW