US President Donald Trump reiterated that he sees good progress in peace negotiations with Iran, but refused to give details when questioned by reporters at the White House on Thursday afternoon, 4.
“You are still going to find out what the agreement with Iran is about, but I can tell you that one of the points is the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
Trump also denied “wanting to meet” Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but said a meeting could take place if a peace deal is reached. “Let’s see, some people suggested that.”
The Republican, however, repeated that he will not negotiate the conditions for Tehran to interrupt its nuclear program and said that an agreement is not necessary to take the enriched uranium, although he prefers delivery through diplomatic channels. “Only two countries can transform enriched uranium into powder, the USA or China,” he noted. “And, unlike former President Barack Obama, I will never allow a deal that lets Iran develop a nuclear weapon.”
On the other hand, Trump stressed that the war “will resume immediately” if Iran attacks and kills American soldiers.
Regarding Lebanon, the American president commented that he spoke with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and representatives of Hezbollah about how it is time to end the conflict between them, demonstrating optimism about a possible agreement.
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Trump also downplayed the recent increase in gasoline prices and said that costs are “lower now than under Joe Biden.”
The comments took place at an event to announce measures to support the coal industry in the USA, with investments worth US$700 million. According to the American president, the plan aims to lower energy costs with “clean and beautiful” coal and “save” factories in several states. Without giving details, he also said he had “good meetings” with CEOs from Ford and General Motors.
Trump has criticized renewable energy projects, saying energy sources should not need subsidies. “Wind energy is more expensive than coal, has not worked well and kills thousands of birds a year,” he said.
