Hours after the 14-point agreement was signed between the US and Iran to end the months-long conflict and open a new path for negotiations, US President Donald Trump took a tough stance. He claimed that Iran had come to Washington out of compulsion and insisted that his administration would not provide any economic aid to Tehran.
In a post on ‘Truth Social’ on Friday, Trump rejected suggestions that the US had softened its stance towards Iran following the deal. Trump wrote, “We did not meet under compulsion, Iran met. They are finished. We will wait 60 days. They will not get any money, not even a penny.”
These things came to light when the Trump administration started the process of 60-day negotiations with Tehran under the recent agreement, but the US President made it clear that Iran will not get any economic concessions from the talks.
‘War has weakened Iran’: Trump
In a separate ‘Truth Social’ post, Trump also rejected criticism from political opponents who argue the deal strengthened Iran rather than weakening it. He said, “The war has weakened Iran. It no longer has an air force, a navy, anti-aircraft equipment, radar, or really anything left, and yet the ‘Democrats’ say Iran is now in a better position than it was four months ago. Can you imagine how they can say such things??? How stupid some people can be???”
Trump said that the war has severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities. He told that the country has actually lost its Air Force, Navy, Air Defense System and Radar Network. However, he did not present any evidence to support his claims.
Agreement reached after months of confrontation
Trump’s latest comments came after he and Iranian President Massoud Pejeshkian electronically signed a 14-point agreement aimed at resolving the dispute between the US, Israel and Iran. This controversy started on 28 February. According to the agreement, Washington and Tehran will hold talks for the next 60 days (with an option to extend the talks). Its aim is to reach a comprehensive agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and international sanctions.