Trump says Iran agreed to forgo nuclear weapons
Washington, June 24
US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran has agreed never to acquire a nuclear weapon as part of what he described as a "historic peace agreement" that ended tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, while asserting that Tehran's military capabilities had been severely weakened.
Speaking at a Mack Trucks manufacturing facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania, Trump said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remained the central objective of his administration's policy towards the Islamic Republic.
"As you know, we just achieved a historic peace agreement with Iran to end the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz," Trump told workers and supporters gathered at the plant.
The President said the agreement had already helped stabilise energy flows through one of the world's most strategically important waterways.
"Yesterday, 19 million barrels of oil flowed out of the Strait of Hormuz," Trump said. "That's the most oil in the history of the strait."
Trump said the primary goal of his administration's efforts was ensuring that Iran could not develop nuclear weapons.
"Most importantly, we are ensuring one thing very importantly, because this is why I did it. I did it for this reason, 99 per cent for this, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and they've agreed to that," he said.
The President also claimed that Iran's military infrastructure had been significantly degraded.
"We're leaving Iran with no navy, no air force, no anti-aircraft, no missile capability, no nuclear program," Trump said. "We're leaving them without any nuclear capacity and they've agreed to that."
Trump argued that previous American administrations had failed to address the issue.
"Remember, this wasn't easy. We had 47 years worth of presidents and other people, other countries too. We're not the only one that never did anything," he said.
The President further asserted that Iran's economy and defence sector had suffered substantial damage.
"The Iran economy has been crushed and their defence industrial base has been damaged so severely that it will take them many years to rebuild, many, many years," Trump said.
At another point in his remarks, Trump suggested that the conflict had been necessary to prevent wider instability across the Middle East.
"We had to make this detour. We had to go to Iran and you can't let them blow up the Middle East and then us, if that's possible," he said.
Referring to recent military action against Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump praised the US operation.
"The only thing they understand is what these guys in the front row understand is the hammer," he said. "Because if you look at what we did to their nuclear capacity with those beautiful B-2 bombers, that was truly a hammer."
Trump also indicated that Washington remained open to further engagement with Tehran.
"But they're going to be OK, I think. They're going to do what they have to do because we want to have it done," he said.
The President's remarks come amid continuing international attention on Iran's nuclear programme and security in the Gulf region.
— IANS
Reader Comments
"Historic peace agreement" my foot. Trump is just trying to sell this as a win before the elections. Meanwhile, India has to worry about oil prices from the Strait of Hormuz. Our foreign policy should focus on keeping energy routes stable, not US grandstanding.
Trump is right about one thing: Iran shouldn't have nukes. But his way of doing diplomacy - threatening, bombing, then claiming victory - is not sustainable. India has always advocated dialogue. This approach only creates more instability in West Asia where we have huge investments.
As an American, I'm skeptical. Trump's track record with deals isn't great. He trashed the Iran deal, now claims he fixed it? Something doesn't add up. And "no navy, no air force" for Iran? That's a huge claim with little evidence.
Trump talking about "beautiful B-2 bombers" and calling destruction "a hammer" is typical of his style. This is not serious diplomacy. India's approach with Iran has always been based on mutual respect. We need stability in Chabahar port and access to Central Asia. This US-Iran tension harms our interests.
If true, this is good for global security. But I'll believe it when I see IAEA verification. Indian energy security depends on stable Gulf. Last time Trump claimed a "deal" with North Korea, it went nowhere. Let's not get fooled again.
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