Washington, Mar.15 (SANA) US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his administration is not unwilling at this stage to conclude an agreement aimed at ending the military escalation with Iran, describing the terms currently presented as “still insufficient”.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump stressed that any future agreement with Tehran must be “highly robust” and must guarantee the complete abandonment of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Military developments
On the battlefield developments, Trump said that joint operations conducted by the United States and Israel have achieved significant results.
He stated that a strategic oil facility on Iran’s Kharg Island had been targeted and that a substantial part of Iran’s drone and missile capabilities had been neutralised.
Trump also disclosed that 13 American soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the confrontations, including six troops who recently died in the crash of a refuelling aircraft in Iraq.
The US president also raised questions about whether Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is still alive, citing his absence from public appearances, though he described reports of his death as “rumours” so far.
Trump called on the Iranian leadership to take what he described as “smart steps” to end the conflict.
He also said he was “surprised” by Iran’s decision to attack other countries in the Middle East in response to the U.S.–Israeli operation.
Trump had earlier written on his Truth Social platform that the United States had defeated Iran militarily and economically.
Maritime security and energy
Regarding international navigation security, Trump revealed ongoing efforts to create an international coordination mechanism aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route.
He also said he was not concerned about the potential impact of fuel prices on domestic politics or upcoming elections.
Iran continues to carry out missile and drone strikes against several Arab countries, including the UAE, causing casualties and material damage amid the ongoing regional escalation resulting from the U.S.–Israeli–Iranian war.
Ukraine and Russia
In a notable political shift, Trump described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “difficult to negotiate with” compared with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
These remarks coincided with Washington’s decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian oil to help ensure stability in global energy supplies.
The move has triggered mixed international reactions.
A/Dh
