WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that negotiations on the second phase of the Iran peace agreement will be less challenging, stressing that preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains Washington’s top priority.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France after meeting the Emir of Qatar, Trump said the United States has “no obligation” to invest financially in Iran despite reaching an agreement aimed at ending regional tensions.
“We are not investing any money in Iran,” Trump told reporters, adding that the deal’s central objective is ensuring Iran never develops nuclear weapons. He warned that any attempt by Tehran to do so would trigger severe consequences.
Calling the agreement “a wall to a nuclear weapon,” Trump contrasted it with the nuclear accord negotiated during former President Barack Obama’s administration, which he described as “a road to a nuclear weapon.”
The US president also dismissed the idea of pursuing regime change in Iran, describing the country’s current leadership as “very rational people” rather than extremists.
“I never cared about regime change,” Trump said, arguing that lasting stability should be built on mutual respect instead of fear.
Trump also voiced concern over Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, saying the conflict with Hezbollah had dragged on for too long and resulted in excessive civilian casualties. He revealed that he advised Israel to allow Syria to handle Hezbollah instead of launching repeated strikes on residential areas in Beirut.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that a new round of negotiations with the United States aimed at finalising the agreement is expected to begin on Friday at a location yet to be confirmed.
Addressing foreign diplomats, Araghchi said ending the war in Lebanon was one of the most significant elements of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two sides.
He described the agreement as involving “America and Israel on one side, and Iran and Hezbollah on the other,” emphasizing that it seeks an immediate and permanent end to hostilities across all fronts, particularly in Lebanon.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi confirmed that Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will represent Tehran at the official signing ceremony in Switzerland, while US Vice President JD Vance will attend on behalf of Washington.
US officials said the memorandum, electronically signed by Trump, Vance and Ghalibaf, provides a broad framework for future negotiations and leaves complex issues—especially Iran’s nuclear programmeto technical discussions.
According to US officials, the agreement guarantees toll-free passage for international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and proposes a potential $300 billion reconstruction package for Iran, although the release of funds will depend on Tehran fulfilling its commitments.
Vance also said that US and international inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be permitted to return to Iran to oversee the dismantling of the country’s enriched uranium stockpiles.
Trump indicated that the full text of the agreement could be made public after Friday’s negotiations, while administration officials suggested it may be released within the next 24 to 48 hours.
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