New Delhi, Jun 17: US President Donald Trump said the proposed agreement between the United States and Iran could be formally signed within days, describing it as a major diplomatic breakthrough that would prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and could lay the groundwork for broader stability across the Middle East or West Asia.
Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, Trump told journalists that the agreement could be signed “tomorrow, maybe the next day.” According to the BBC, he said Iran had agreed that it would “neither produce nor procure a nuclear weapon,” emphasising that the wording was designed to prevent Tehran from both developing nuclear weapons and obtaining them from other countries.
Trump said he hoped the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran would mark the beginning of a wider peace process in the region. Referring to ongoing efforts to ease tensions, he said the agreement could eventually contribute to “a deal all across the Middle East,” while acknowledging that issues such as peace in Lebanon would require further work.
Responding to questions on Israel, Trump described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “good man” but remarked that he “gets a little excited sometimes,” suggesting that Israel could adopt “a little softer touch” in dealing with Hezbollah. He also said a copy of the proposed agreement had been shared with Israel, which he described as a “good partner.”
The US President dismissed media reports that Iran could gain access to a reconstruction fund worth $300 billion as part of the agreement, calling such claims a “fake story.” However, he indicated that Iran could benefit economically if it complied with the terms of the deal and pursued a constructive course.
Trump also warned that the United States could take military action again if Iran failed to uphold its commitments, saying Washington would respond forcefully if Tehran did not adhere to the agreement. The BBC reported that details of the proposed deal have not yet been made public, while the White House has said that some reported versions do not accurately reflect the final text.
