Trump says U.S. is close to Iran deal with no immediate asset unfreezing

Trump said Washington could help recover and destroy Iran’s highly enriched uranium under a deal, while any new agreement would bar nuclear weapons access and delay sanctions-related asset relief.

Summary

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is very close to signing a deal with Iran after three months of war, according to an NBC News report cited by Jinshi via PANews on June 7. He said the United States would help recover and destroy Iran’s highly enriched uranium if an agreement is reached, and that he wants terms barring Iran from buying, procuring, or obtaining nuclear weapons. Trump added that if no deal is completed on those terms, the U.S. would further weaken Iran’s military until U.S. forces can safely seize the material. He also said any new agreement would not immediately unfreeze Iranian assets, indicating a tougher stance on the timing of sanctions relief than the six-country deal reached under former U.S. President Barack Obama, which he criticized.

Terms & Concepts
  • highly enriched uranium: Uranium processed to high purity levels.
  • sanctions relief: The easing or removal of economic penalties imposed by one country or group of countries.
  • asset unfreezing: The release of funds or property that had been blocked under sanctions or other legal restrictions.