Trump: I Don't Care About the Election, It Could Settle Iran

¬ Chairing a White House cabinet meeting, "Still dissatisfied with the current agreement," hinting at military action if negotiations collapse, "Highly enriched uranium will not be transferred to China or Russia," urging participation in the Abraham Accords

On the 27th, U.S. President Donald Trump, during a White House cabinet meeting regarding final peace talks with Iran, stated: "Progress is very smooth." "Although we are not yet satisfied with the agreement, we will ultimately be satisfied. Otherwise, the person sitting to my left will settle them." On that day, the person seated to Trump’s left was U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who said: "We might go back and settle them," implying the retention of military options to pressure Iran into an agreement. With the November midterm elections approaching, the Iranian situation is bringing political pressure, to which Trump responded: "They think I’ll make concessions due to the election, but I don’t care about any election."

That day, he did not disclose specific negotiation details, but said: "What they should provide has already started taking action," "If they do so, it would be great." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that progress had been made in talks with Iran, adding: "We will observe carefully whether further progress occurs over the coming hours and days." Rubio emphasized: "The core is simple"—"It's what the president has stressed: Iran and its leadership must not possess nuclear weapons." Regarding another major point of contention—Hormuz Strait—Trump argued: "It's international waters, no one can control it; we will monitor it. Once an agreement is reached, it will be opened immediately."

Trump said Iranian officials mistakenly believed "I’d break under pressure and give up," "They thought, 'He’s facing mid-term elections; we just need to hold on.' But I don’t care about mid-term elections." He added: "Iran’s economy is plummeting, its navy has disappeared, its air force is paralyzed." "I believe they have no choice left."

Analysts note that despite a decline in presidential approval ratings due to the Iranian situation, rising prices, and internal conservative opposition, Trump remains unmoved. It is reported that both sides have reached a temporary agreement on a memorandum of understanding (MOU), including an extension of the truce, early opening of the Hormuz Strait, and deferral of nuclear issues for discussion within the next 30–60 days. As for Iran’s demands such as asset unfreezing and easing sanctions, Trump explicitly stated: "There’s no negotiation on these."

On that day, Trump clarified his stance: Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar must sign the Abraham Accords normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel. The accords were one of Trump’s major foreign policy achievements during his first term, and he aims to expand their scope to advance “peace” in the Middle East. Speaking in a phone interview with PBS, Trump said: "Joining the Abraham Accords would be greatly beneficial for Saudi Arabia." However, reports indicate some countries remain indifferent. Trump claimed Middle Eastern nations "owe Americans a favor," and if they don’t join, "to be honest, I’m uncertain whether we should proceed with the agreement." He also stated: "I’m doing this for the entire world."

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original: toutiao.com/article/1866416122379271/

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