US President Donald Trump said Iran has expressed interest in signing an agreement with Washington, though was unprepared to agree to what he dubbed ‘the right deal’ amid heightened tensions between the nations, Reuters reports.
As he told reporters ahead of his departure for South Carolina on Friday, Trump noted US officials are keeping close tabs on developments and added there were still military options open to Washington should they need to be exercised.
He also drew attention to ‘severe economic and military problems’ confronting Iran — noting it has ‘no money, no navy, no air force’, adding that while he would not comment further, the US was ready to take other measures if necessary depending on how things develop.
As the Trump administration prepares to impose tougher sanctions on Iran, Iranian leaders have dismissed Washington’s pressure campaign as a failed strategy that will not change Tehran’s position. On Thursday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the US’s sanctioning strategy had “already been proven wrong” and would be “bound to fail.”
In addition to stepping up its economic war against Iran by increasing sanctions and trade restrictions, Washington also accuses Tehran of trying to get around some elements of existing agreements through greater military action in the region. But Iran has repeatedly rejected U.S. sanctions and military pressure, saying such measures will not force Tehran to change its position.
