Trump: I have not yet made a decision regarding major attacks on Iran

US President Donald Trump answered questions from members of the press during an announcement at the White House regarding innovations in American nuclear technologies. Addressing the issue of a civil nuclear energy agreement with Saudi Arabia, Trump said that if Saudi Arabia wants to make such an agreement, it will need to join the Abraham Accords, which provide for the normalization of relations with Israel.

Stating that the accords are successful and important for the future of the Middle East, Trump said regarding any nuclear deal to be made with Saudi Arabia, "The Saudis will join the Abraham Accords at some point and will continue their civil nuclear program; there will be no enrichment."

Trump said that countries that were previously hesitant to join this agreement because of Iran no longer need to be afraid of it. "Iran is no longer a major power in the region. Its influence and the threat it poses are decreasing every day," Trump said.

At the event at the White House, Trump refused to answer a reporter's question about whether he considers the blowing up of Iran's civil power plants and bridges to be a "war crime in the civilized world," as the reporter suggested.

"Venezuela is not really ready for elections"

When asked when elections would be held in Venezuela, US President Trump replied, "Venezuela is not really ready for elections. But great progress has been made."

Stating that the country has earned more money than at any time in its history thanks to the oil extracted from Venezuela, Trump said, "We are also getting a big share of this as a result of our efforts. Money is being sent, and oil is being sent to Houston and Louisiana to be refined. We have recovered the cost of the war many times over. It is incredible." Trump added, "However, they are not ready for elections yet. At some point, they will be ready. And we will follow the process closely."

"Negotiations with Iran are ongoing"

When asked what the US exit strategy from Iran is, Trump replied, "I think there are a few options. Within the framework of the military option, we can continue what we are doing now, or even increase the intensity of the attacks. This option would eliminate everything they have. The other, smarter option is to make a deal. Iran wants to make a deal. But I don't think they are ready yet." Trump said, "Sometimes they don't want to say they want to make a deal. They want to look tough. But they want to make a deal."

Announcing that negotiations with Iran are continuing, Trump said, "Within the framework of the other option, we can negotiate with them, and we are doing that right now. As we speak here, negotiations are being held with them."

When asked whether Russia and China are providing aid to Iran in the war, Trump replied, "I have no information that they are providing facilities to Iran. Chinese President Xi Jinping said he would not get involved in this. Russian President Putin said the same thing. I think I trust them. There may be some things they are doing, but at least so far, these have not been large-scale things. I don't think they would want to disappoint me."

"I have not yet made a decision regarding major attacks on Iran"

Answering a question about Iran, Trump said, "I have not yet made a decision regarding major attacks on Iran. I think Iran is becoming increasingly serious in the negotiations."

When asked by a journalist, "Should we expect major attacks?" Trump replied, "Look, we are talking to them right now. I think as the days go by, perhaps for obvious reasons, they are taking the matter more and more seriously. But we are talking to them right now."

Trump said, "There are two paths. I see negotiations as the smarter path. However, continuing what we are doing is probably the easier path. If we want, we can take this to a higher level, and we are ready to do so. Our weapons are loaded and ready to fire. We are fully prepared. But we are talking to them, and we will see what happens."

When asked who is involved in the negotiations with Iran on behalf of the US, Trump said, "In a way, everyone. Vice President James David Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and many others are talking to many people. There are many people to talk to. This is a big issue."

Expressing that he is in no rush regarding Iran, Trump said, "Despite what everyone says about elections, I am in no rush. I am not rushing. We have to do this the right way. Elections will find their own way when the time comes."

Emphasizing that the blockade he calls the "iron wall" against Iran has also been re-established, Trump said, "Therefore, in a way, they have to make a deal. We are talking to them. I think they are acting seriously. I think they are much more serious than what we have seen so far. Of course, this does not necessarily mean that we will make a deal. We will see what happens."

When reminded that he had previously told the press he was evaluating a "massive attack" on Iran and asked what the breaking point would be that would lead to such a decision, Trump said, "I cannot tell you that. We are talking to them right now. So perhaps there will be such a breaking point, or perhaps there won't be. But we are ready to take action."

When asked at what point Iran would give up and come to the negotiating table, Trump replied, "Maybe they will give up, maybe they will quit entirely, or maybe they will go into a cave and hide. You know, they have caves very deep underground, and they can hide there. They will be shaken up quite a bit, but they can hide."

Stating that serious negotiations are being conducted with Iran, Trump said, "But we have talked before, and they seem unable to reach an agreement. Maybe they will succeed now."

Trump repeated his claims that if he had not carried out military attacks on Iran, Israel would not exist today and would have been "hit with a nuclear weapon." Trump said, "If I were not president, Israel would not exist. Probably the Middle East would not exist either. You saw how they started opening fire unexpectedly all over the Middle East. If they had nuclear weapons, they would have used them too. There would be nothing left of the Middle East as we know it today. But in my opinion, there would definitely not be a country called Israel."

News Source: 12punto