Washington, June 2: President Donald Trump expressed little concern over Iran potentially halting ongoing negotiations with the United States. He stated that Iran has taken too much time in discussions, emphasizing that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains the top priority for his administration.
In a phone interview with CNBC’s senior Washington correspondent Eamon Javers, Trump dismissed the notion that a breakdown in talks would lead to significant changes in his strategy. This statement came amid a sharp reaction in oil markets following reports that Iran is no longer willing to continue negotiations.
When asked if negotiations with Iran had ended, Trump replied, “Honestly, I don’t care if the talks are over or not. I really don’t.” He added, “If they are over, then they are over. If they are not, I think they have taken too much time. To be honest, these talks have become quite boring.”
Trump accused Iran of deliberately dragging out the negotiations, saying, “It took too long. I felt they were just stalling us.” When directly asked if he believed Iran was wasting time intentionally, he responded, “Yes, I felt that way.”
This interview occurred during a time of market turmoil due to concerns that diplomatic efforts might fail. Javers reported that oil prices surged by over eight percent following news of Iran’s withdrawal from talks.
However, Trump refused to express concern over rising oil prices. When questioned about his worries regarding oil costs, he stated, “No, I’m not worried about it.” The President argued that oil prices would soon decrease, citing the large amounts of oil already present in global markets.
He mentioned, “I think oil prices will come down rapidly soon. Right now, there are 1,700 ships filled with oil, and that will hit the market like a major oil flow.” Trump also dismissed the idea that maritime routes would remain blocked for long, asserting that despite tensions, shipping continues.
He claimed that the current situation is causing significant economic damage to Iran, stating, “In my view, they are losing $500 million every day due to the blockade.”
Trump emphasized that the most crucial issue for him is ensuring Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons. He issued a stern warning to Tehran, stating, “If they try to acquire nuclear weapons, I will totally destroy them.”
He also suggested that if fuel prices rise, people should view it in the context of stopping Iran’s nuclear weapons program. Furthermore, Trump proposed that European countries should take greater responsibility for securing maritime routes, as their dependence on energy supplies from the region is greater than that of the United States.
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