Trump calls on Mojtaba Khamenei to 'surrender'

U.S. President Donald Trump made statements regarding the current agenda in a telephone interview with the NBC broadcasting network.

Stating that he does not want to make a deal with Iran under current conditions, Trump said, "Iran wants to make a deal, and I don't want to do it yet because the conditions are not good enough."

Trump expressed that the conditions for a potential deal must be "very solid." Reiterating his claim that they have largely destroyed Iran's defense capabilities, Trump said, "We have neutralized most of their missiles. We have neutralized most of their drones. We have largely stopped their missile and drone production. These will be completely destroyed within two days."

Stating that U.S. allies in the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, are acting "wonderfully" and have been "targeted unnecessarily," Trump described Iran targeting Middle Eastern countries as "the biggest surprise in this event."

"MANY COUNTRIES HAVE PROMISED HELP FOR THE SECURITY OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ"

Stating that many countries have promised to help ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump avoided naming specific countries. Trump said, "They didn't just promise; they also think it's a great idea." Stating that it is not certain whether Iran has laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said, "We will scan the strait very strongly. We believe that other countries whose access to oil is somehow blocked, or blocked in different situations, will also join us." Avoiding a definitive answer to the question of whether the U.S. Navy will begin escorting ships passing through the strait, Trump simply said, "It's possible."

"WE HAVE COMPLETELY LEVELED KHARG ISLAND"

Touching on the recent attacks the U.S. carried out on Kharg Island, which is of critical importance to Iran, Trump said, "We have completely leveled Kharg Island, but we might hit it a few more times just for fun." Trump reminded, "However, as you know, I didn't do anything to the energy infrastructure because it would take years to rebuild it."

"IF KHAMENEI IS ALIVE, HE SHOULD DO SOMETHING SMART FOR HIS COUNTRY"

Regarding the health status of Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Trump commented, "I don't even know if he is alive. No one has been able to show him yet." Stating that there are "rumors" that Khamenei is not alive, Trump said, "If he is alive, he should do something very smart for his country, which is to surrender." When asked if there are names he would like to see as Iran's Supreme Leader, Trump did not give a definitive answer, saying, "There are people alive who could be great leaders for the country's future." When asked if he was in contact with any of these names, Trump replied, "I don't want to say that. I don't want to put them in danger."

"OIL PRICES WILL FALL"

Trump also addressed concerns about rising oil prices following the Iran war. Suggesting that oil prices will fall shortly after the war in Iran ends, Trump said, "I think prices will go even lower than they were before. I expect a record drop. There is a lot of oil and gas on the market. But you know, there is a bit of a bottleneck. This bottleneck will pass very soon." Responding to the question of whether oil prices would affect the midterm elections, Trump said, "I'm not worried at all," adding, "All I want is to make sure that Iran can never be the bully of the Middle East again." When asked about the decision to temporarily lift some sanctions on Russian oil due to the rise in global oil prices, Trump replied, "I want oil for the world. I want oil." Trump said that the sanctions imposed on Russia "will return as soon as the crisis is over."

"ZELENSKYY IS THE LAST PERSON WE WOULD ASK FOR HELP"

Criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Trump commented, "I am surprised that Zelenskyy does not want to make a deal. Tell Zelenskyy to make a deal, because Putin is ready to make a deal. It is much harder to make a deal with Zelenskyy." Regarding Zelenskyy's offer to help U.S. forces and their allies in the Middle East to block Iranian drones, Trump assessed, "We don't need help. Zelenskyy is the last person we would ask for help." Regarding allegations that Russia is sharing intelligence with Iran about the positions of U.S. forces, Trump commented, "Russia might be giving information, or maybe they aren't." Stating that the U.S. does something similar against Russia, Trump added that his country is "giving some information to Ukraine and trying to establish peace between the two countries."