Trump tells Netanyahu no deal with Iran without dismantling nuclear program: Report | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump has assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington will maintain a tough stance in negotiations with Iran, insisting on dismantling Tehran’s nuclear program as a condition of any final deal, a senior Israeli official was quoted as saying by AFP.
The official reportedly said Trump communicated his position during a conversation with Netanyahu on Saturday night.
“President Trump has made it clear that he will remain steadfast in negotiations on his longstanding demand to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and remove all enriched uranium from Iranian territory, and that he will not sign a final deal without those conditions,” the official said, referring to a conversation between the two leaders on Saturday night.
The remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts over Iran’s nuclear activities and rising regional tensions involving Israel, Iran and the United States.
Israel has consistently opposed any deal that would allow Iran to retain uranium enrichment capabilities, saying Tehran could use the program to develop nuclear weapons. However, Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are for peaceful civilian purposes.
Netanyahu emphasizes Israel’s freedom to act
During the conversation, Netanyahu reportedly emphasized that Israel would continue to act militarily against perceived threats throughout the region, including Lebanon.
“In a conversation with President Trump last night, the Prime Minister emphasized that Israel would maintain its freedom of action against threats in all arenas, including Lebanon, and President Trump reiterated and endorsed that principle,” an Israeli political source told Reuters.
Israel continues military operations in Lebanon despite the April 17 ceasefire. Lebanese state media on Saturday reported Israeli strikes in the country’s south, while the Lebanese army said one strike hit a barracks and wounded a soldier.
Lebanon’s Civil Defense Authority also said an Israeli strike destroyed its regional facility in Nabatieh on Sunday.
The emerging US-Iran deal raises hopes
Expectations of a diplomatic breakthrough rose after Trump said Washington and Tehran had “largely negotiated” a memorandum of understanding on a peace deal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane disrupted since the US-Israel conflict with Iran erupted in February.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted during a visit to India that a deal could be close.
“I think there may be a possibility that the world will get some good news in the next few hours,” Rubio told reporters.
Trump says Iran peace deal largely negotiated, Strait of Hormuz to reopen
US President Donald Trump said a major deal involving the United States, Iran and several Middle Eastern countries had been “largely negotiated”, signaling a possible breakthrough in efforts to ease months of regional tension and conflict.
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump said he had held discussions from the Oval Office with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain about what he described as a “memorandum of understanding regarding PEACE” involving the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Trump says the final details are still being negotiated
Trump said the deal was nearing completion but still required final approval and discussions among the countries involved.
“The agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and various other countries as listed,” Trump wrote.
He added that discussions were continuing on the “final aspects and details” of the arrangement and said an official announcement would come soon.
“The final aspects and details of the agreement are currently being discussed and will be announced soon,” he said.
Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
One of the most significant elements of the proposed deal, Trump said, would be reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route that has faced major disruption during the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.
“Among many other elements of the deal, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened,” Trump said.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors, with a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passing through the narrow waterway.
According to Iran’s Fars news agency, the draft deal would include commitments by the US and its allies not to attack Iran or its regional partners, while Tehran would pledge not to launch pre-emptive strikes.
The report also said sanctions on Iran’s oil, gas and petrochemical sectors could be temporarily eased during the talks, allowing Tehran to resume exports more freely.
Iran warns of renewed conflict
Despite the diplomatic progress, Iranian officials have warned that Tehran remains prepared for a renewed confrontation if hostilities resume.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned Washington against renewed conflict.
“Our armed forces have rebuilt themselves during the ceasefire period in such a way that if Trump commits another folly and starts a war again, it will certainly be overwhelming and bitter for the United States than on the first day of the war,” Ghalibaf said.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remains willing to assure the international community that it is not seeking nuclear weapons.
“We are still ready to assure the world that we are not seeking nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian told state television.
