Iran War day 48: Trump says Iran has agreed to no nuclear weapon
Caroline MolloyOn the 48th day of the Iran war, President Donald Trump told reporters that Iran has “agreed” not to develop or possess a nuclear weapon and announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump said it’s “very important” that “Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, and they’ve agreed to that. Iran has agreed to that, and they’ve agreed to it very powerfully.”
Trump also said Iran has “agreed to give us back the nuclear dust that’s way underground because of the attack we made with the B-2 bombers.”
He added that the U.S. has “a very good relationship with Iran right now,” which he thinks is because of “a combination of about four weeks of bombing and a very powerful blockade.”
“The blockade is maybe more powerful than the bombing, if you want to know the truth,” Trump added, referring to the U.S. blockade of the Iranian ports on the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade began April 13 after ceasefire talks ended in Islamabad, Pakistan.
US-Iran ceasefire could be extended if needed, Trump says
During the exchange with reporters, Trump also said the ceasefire with Iran, scheduled to expire April 22, could be extended if needed, though he expressed confidence it may not be necessary.
“I don’t know that we’ll have to. Ideally, we wouldn’t but if I needed to I would,” he said, later adding, “Iran wants to make a deal, and we’re dealing very nicely with them.”
Trump also warned that “fighting resumes” if no agreement can be reached with Iran.
The next round of talks between the U.S. and Iran could take place “probably, maybe over the weekend,” he said.
When asked whether he would travel to Pakistan — where negotiations were held last weekend — to finalize a deal, Trump said he would be open to the trip.
