Washington:US President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed the likelihood of renewed military strikes against Iran following Tuesday's midterm elections, emphasizing that diplomatic efforts are progressing.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, Trump, when questioned by a reporter at a campaign event in Washington, firmly stated, "No," regarding the consideration of striking Iran again after the elections. Trump reiterated his stance that Tehran would never obtain nuclear weapons, asserting that Iranian officials recognize this position.
During the event, Trump urged voters to remember his administration's efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons when they vote. He argued that preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear capabilities was crucial, warning that the country "could never function in the same way" otherwise. Trump highlighted past military actions, mentioning, "We stopped that a year ago with those beautiful B-2 bombers, which hit every single mark and just put hundreds of tons of rock on top of everything."
The president also suggested that diplomatic arrangements were progressing well and linked this to the reduction in energy prices, stating, "That's why I guess the oil prices drop so precipitously."
In a separate interview with Axios, Trump expressed no urgency in deciding whether to resume direct military strikes against Iran, saying, "One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush." He claimed US pressure had significantly weakened Iran's economy, leading to financial struggles and shortages for its people.
Trump mentioned that communications with Tehran were proceeding satisfactorily, despite accusing Iranian negotiators of prolonging discussions. He noted, "There's less urgency (on the Iranian side) than you think there would be, but they want to make a deal more than they ever wanted."
These remarks came after reports indicated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had urged Washington in a Saturday phone call to launch immediate military strikes post-elections. Trump decided instead to allow diplomatic negotiations to continue, despite concerns raised by Netanyahu, according to Axios.