President Trump said Tuesday the U.S. has no obligation to invest money in Iran as part of its peace memorandum, and “the only thing” he cares about is preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Mr. Trump said the deal says “loud and clear” that Iran cannot develop or purchase nuclear weapons.
“If they do, all hell will rain down on them. They are not going to do that,” Mr. Trump said during a sit-down with the emir of Qatar at the Group of Seven meetings in France.
The U.S. and Iran are scheduled to hold a public signing on Friday of the memo that reopens the Strait of Hormuz, lifts the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and establishes 60 days of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Congressional lawmakers want to see more details about the text — it has not been released — and critics say it returns the U.S. to the prewar status quo.
Mr. Trump said the pact advances U.S. interests and will not cost the U.S. money.
SEE ALSO: Trump suggests Syria should finish off Hezbollah instead
“We are not investing any money in Iran, by the way. That rumor that got out there yesterday. It was ridiculous,” Mr. Trump said.
More importantly, he said the deal will forestall any of Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
“It says it loud and clear. They are not going to develop it. They are not going to buy it. They are not going to do anything with it. If they do, they will suffer unbelievable consequences,” Mr. Trump said. “Not just a little bit, like, I won’t even tell you the consequences, but they are the ultimate consequences.”
The U.S. and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on Feb. 28 to prevent Tehran from getting a nuclear weapon. Early strikes killed top Iranian leaders and decimated the country’s military.
Iran retaliated by restricting oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, causing energy shocks and higher gas prices in the U.S.
American negotiators struggled to reach a consensus with a fractured Iranian leadership, though Mr. Trump said they found a trustworthy group.
“Never important, but I guess you have regime change,” Mr. Trump said. “The first group, they are all dead, the second group, they are dead, a part of the third group is gone, and we are dealing with people [who] I think are rational people. I think smarter than the first and second group. They are not radicalized and looking to help their country.”
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.