A breakthrough deal may be on the horizon between the U.S. and Iran, according to President Donald Trump.
During a Wednesday afternoon news conference in the Oval Office, Trump indicated that Iran has agreed not to have a nuclear weapon – a stipulation in a deal between Iran and the U.S.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and they won’t, and they’ve agreed to that, among other things,” Trump told reporters.
The president said a deal with Iran is close, despite making the same claim multiple times since a ceasefire went into place April 7. However, Trump appears to acknowledge the Islamic Republic’s reluctance to reach a deal over the last month after several failed attempts to make a deal.
“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran. If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” Trump posted to Truth Social Wednesday morning.
While the president appeared to indicate Operation Epic Fury could continue, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters during a White House press briefing Tuesday that it was indeed over.
“Operation Epic Fury is concluded. We achieved the objectives of that operation. We’re not cheering for an additional situation to occur. We would prefer the path of peace,” Rubio told reporters.
The latest claim comes less than 24 hours after the president announced the pause of “Project Freedom,” a U.S. operation to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz safely. Trump implemented Project Freedom Monday morning.
The president cited “great progress” being made toward a deal with Iran.
“Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed,” Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday afternoon.
The president continues to defend a potential deal and the fragile ceasefire, despite Iran firing on U.S. naval vessels and attacks on commercial vessels.
Trump defended the talks after a reporter argued that Iran has been unwilling to submit, asking “what’s different about this moment now than in other where a deal has seemed close?”
The president responded, “Why do you say they refused to submit? You don’t know that. You don’t know what’s going on.”
The Trump administration has conceded the Iranian government is fractured, it is unclear if the fractured leadership would jointly agree to a proposed deal presented by the U.S.
