Washington, May 31 (SANA) U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington was close to reaching what he described as a “very good” agreement with Iran over its nuclear program and maritime security, while warning that military action remained an option if diplomacy failed.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said he preferred a diplomatic solution but suggested the United States could resort to force if negotiations did not produce terms acceptable to Washington.
“We are close to a very good deal with Iran,” Trump said. “If it’s not fair to us, we’ll go back to the military option.”
Trump said any agreement would include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping without transit fees. He also reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remained a central U.S. objective.
He further claimed that Iran had already agreed not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed such an agreement.
Commenting on the negotiations, Trump described Iranian representatives as experienced negotiators and said progress was being made gradually.
“We are getting what we want from Tehran slowly but steadily,” he said, adding that if talks failed, the conflict would be resolved “in a completely different way.”
Separately, The New York Times reported that Trump had revised and toughened elements of a proposed framework aimed at ending tensions with Iran and had sent updated proposals to Tehran.
Citing U.S. officials, the newspaper said the framework would require Iran to lift restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for an end to hostilities.
The report said Trump had raised concerns over provisions involving the release of frozen Iranian assets and expressed frustration at what officials described as the slow pace of Iran’s response.
According to the officials, mediators, including representatives from Pakistan, were involved in drafting the revised proposals.
The officials said the updated framework had been forwarded to Iran’s leadership for consideration, while more complex issues, including the future of Tehran’s nuclear program, would likely be addressed in subsequent rounds of negotiations.
Trump said on Friday that restrictions on maritime traffic linked to the standoff with Iran should be lifted and reiterated that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
R.H/Abd
