U.S. President Donald Trump said that indirect talks with Iran, conducted through Pakistani mediators, are “going well,” adding that “a deal could be reached very quickly,” according to the Financial Times.
Trump stated that “the system in Iran has changed and become more rational,” stressing that the “previous leadership” had been removed because it was “killed.”
At the same time, he signaled possible military options, saying, “We might take control of Kharg Island, or maybe not—but that would mean we would have to stay there for some time.” He added, “I don’t think the Iranians have any defense, and we could take the island very easily.”
Trump also claimed that the United States had “struck 13,000 targets in Iran” and still has “around 3,000 targets remaining,” emphasizing that his “preferred option is to seize Iranian oil.”
In a related context, The Wall Street Journal, citing officials, reported that Trump is considering the option of launching a ground operation in Iran to extract approximately 1,000 pounds of enriched uranium.
According to the newspaper, a source familiar with the matter said Trump had instructed his advisers to pressure Tehran into handing over enriched uranium as a condition for ending the war, assuring allies that “Iran cannot be allowed to retain nuclear materials.”
U.S. officials added that Trump is assessing the risks of any potential ground operation inside Iran on American forces.
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported the arrival of hundreds of U.S. special operations personnel in the Middle East.
Trump also said that “within a short period, Cuba will collapse, and we will be there to help,” adding that the United States is ready to intervene to support regional transformations if necessary.
He further noted that Iran had sent 20 oil tankers to the United States that would pass through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning, describing this as a “gesture of respect” toward Washington.
Reuters
