Trump declares nuclear agreement threat to Iran

(MENAFN) U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a warning to Iran, threatening to completely cut off its oil exports if current negotiations in Oman aimed at restoring the 2015 nuclear deal collapse. Speaking at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday, Trump stated that if Tehran refuses to accept what he called an “olive branch,” the U.S. would escalate its “maximum pressure” campaign.

“If Iran’s leaders walk away from this opportunity, we’ll have no choice but to push their oil exports down to zero,” Trump declared, referencing the strict sanctions he reimposed after pulling the U.S. out of the nuclear agreement in 2018. He claimed these sanctions had pushed Iran’s economy to the brink of bankruptcy.

A 2023 UN Human Rights Council report criticized those same sanctions, stating that they hindered access to essential medical supplies in Iran. It pointed out that fear of U.S. enforcement discouraged global businesses, insurers, and banks from engaging with Iran, resulting in unnecessary suffering and death.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there has been some progress in the Oman talks, noting that both sides have achieved “a better understanding” of each other's positions.

Trump originally exited the UN-endorsed 2015 deal during his first term, accusing Iran of secretly violating its terms—an allegation Iran has consistently denied. In response to the withdrawal, Tehran scaled back its compliance and increased its uranium enrichment levels.

The U.S. and its allies have voiced growing concern over Iran’s nuclear activity, fearing it could shorten the time needed to produce weapons-grade material. However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently rejected a major U.S. demand to dismantle the country’s nuclear infrastructure.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is strictly peaceful and continues to deny any intention to build a nuclear weapon.

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