Trump on Iran negotiations: "I won't rush... I want a great agreement"

President Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 23rd (local time) regarding negotiations for an end to war and denuclearization with Iran, "I don't want to rush," expressing his resolve to achieve the agreement conditions desired by the U.S., even if it takes time.

President Trump made these remarks at an event related to 'healthcare cost reduction' held at the White House on this day, saying, "I want to take my time. We have plenty of time."

He continued, "I want a great agreement," adding, "I want an agreement that makes our country and the entire world safe from madmen with nuclear weapons."

He also said, "I want something permanent. I want them not to have (nuclear weapons), and not even have the opportunity to have them."

These remarks by President Trump came amidst rising oil prices significantly influencing American voters' sentiments ahead of the November midterm elections, and public opinion not improving regarding the war, and are thus also interpreted as a high-level psychological warfare against Iran.

Against Iran, which might believe that the battle against time is advantageous to them due to the political and economic burden of prolonged war that President Trump might feel, this could be part of a psychological strategy to emphasize that there is no reason to rush negotiations, while simultaneously sending a message that Iran's burden will increase if the agreement is delayed, thereby aiming to escalate pressure on Iran.

Ships anchored and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz

Regarding the naval blockade targeting Iran, President Trump said, "We are implementing a 100% effective blockade," adding, "They are in a bad financial and economic situation and cannot do any business due to the blockade."

He continued, "Iran wants an agreement," adding, "We have been continuing talks with them, but they don't even know who is leading the country right now. They are in chaos."

This reiterated the previous assertion that the Iranian leadership is divided into hardliners and moderates and has not established a unified stance.

President Trump said that Iran might have replenished some anti-aircraft defense equipment during the ceasefire period of over two weeks, adding, "Even if they did, we can eliminate it in a day."

When asked if he intended to use nuclear weapons against Iran, President Trump replied, "No," and added, "We have already completely devastated them with conventional means without nuclear weapons, so why would we use nuclear weapons?"

He further emphasized, "We will not use nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons should never be used by anyone."

On the 7th, President Trump targeted Iran on social media Truth Social, stating, "Tonight, an entire civilization will disappear and can never be brought back," which led to speculation in some quarters that he might be considering the possibility of using nuclear weapons.

These remarks are interpreted as a clear statement that he has no intention of using nuclear weapons against Iran.

Regarding the background of U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan's resignation the previous day, President Trump said, "I really liked him," but added, "there were some clashes with other people, mainly concerning the construction and purchase of new ships."

Meanwhile, President Trump announced that an agreement had been signed with global pharmaceutical company Regeneron to lower drug prices in the U.S. to Most Favored Nation (MFN) levels.

During that time, President Trump has pressured pharmaceutical companies by threatening to impose tariffs if they did not lower drug prices, thereby making them reduce the prices of major medicines sold in the U.S. So far, 17 pharmaceutical companies have participated in drug price reductions.