Iran Has ‘No Choice’ But to Make Deal: Trump

WASHINGTON: (Web Desk) – US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran was eager to reach an agreement with Washington, although he stressed that the United States remained dissatisfied with the terms currently under discussion.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said Iran’s worsening economic situation was pushing Tehran toward negotiations with the United States.

“They just want to make a deal. I don’t think they have a choice,” Trump told reporters and cabinet members.

“Their economy is in free fall. Their money has no value, their whole economic system has broken down,” he added.

The remarks came as Washington and Tehran continued indirect negotiations aimed at maintaining a fragile ceasefire and reducing the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

Diplomatic sources said negotiators had made progress on a proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) that could pave the way for broader talks on Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security issues.

Officials familiar with the discussions said much of the draft document had reportedly been agreed upon over the weekend, raising hopes for an early agreement that could help ease tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route.

Earlier in the day, Iranian state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that Tehran had obtained an unofficial draft framework of the proposed agreement.

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According to Iranian media reports, the framework would require Iran to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-conflict levels within one month, while the United States would withdraw military forces from areas near Iran and end a naval blockade.

Iranian state television further claimed that the proposal excluded military vessels and suggested that Iran would manage commercial shipping traffic in cooperation with Oman. Tehran reportedly insisted that no implementation would occur without “tangible verification.”

The reports also stated that a final agreement reached within 60 days could potentially be endorsed through a binding resolution of the United Nations Security Council.

However, the White House rejected the Iranian media claims, calling them “not true” and describing the reported memorandum as “a complete fabrication.”

The cabinet meeting reflected growing concern within the Trump administration over rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly security risks in the Gulf region and the possible impact on global energy markets.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said disagreements still remained over parts of the proposed document, warning that even minor wording disputes could derail the negotiations, as happened in previous agreements between Washington and Tehran.

The ceasefire linked to the talks has now entered its eighth week but remains fragile.

Iran has warned it could respond to recent US military operations, while clashes between Israel and Hezbollah along the Lebanese border have intensified, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

An official from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said renewed war with the United States was unlikely, though Tehran remained prepared to respond to any attack.