Trump says will not rush into Iran deal over midterm concerns

Washington: US President Donald Trump has said he will not rush into a deal with Iran because of midterm political concerns, warning that Washington remained prepared to resume military action if ongoing negotiations fail to produce an agreement favoured by the United States.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday (local time), Trump said Iran had hoped political pressure tied to the upcoming midterm elections would weaken his negotiating position.

“They thought they were going to outwait me,” Trump said. “I don’t care about the midterms.”

Regarding the ongoing negotiations, Trump said Washington is not yet satisfied with the terms under discussion and remains prepared to resume military action if its demands are not met, reports Xinhua news agency.

“We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be,” Trump said. “Either that or we’ll have to just finish the job.”

“They want to just make a deal,” he said. “I don’t think they have a choice.”

Additionally, during the Cabinet Meeting, Trump said that Iran would not receive sanctions relief in exchange for giving up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

“No, no, not at all. Not sanctions relief, no,” Trump said when asked if the current framework would mean Iran giving up its highly enriched uranium in exchange for sanctions relief in a brief phone interview with PBS News.

“They’re gonna give up their highly enriched uranium not for sanctions relief. No, no, not at all,” the president added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the White House denied an Iranian media report on the draft deal, an initial, unofficial framework for a memorandum of understanding, as “a complete fabrication.”

According to the Iranian state-run IRIB TV report, the draft included a withdrawal of US forces from areas near Iran and the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

IANS