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White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said that US President Donald Trump "will not make any deal with Iran unless it puts US national security first," noting that he "has made it clear that Iran will never possess a nuclear weapon."
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said that US President Donald Trump "will not make any deal with Iran unless it puts US national security first," noting that he "has made it clear that Iran will never possess a nuclear weapon."
Kelly added, in a statement quoted by "NBC News" today, Wednesday: "US negotiators continue to communicate with the Iranians, who are struggling to settle their leadership status in the wake of Operation Epic Rage," referring to the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
According to the US network, this sentiment was echoed even in the East Room of the White House last night, where Trump was hosting a state dinner for British monarch King Charles III.
In a meeting with the King at the banquet, Trump touched on the Middle East crisis, saying that the United States "has militarily defeated Iran."
He added: "We will never allow this adversary - Charles agrees with me, even more than I do - we will never allow this adversary to possess a nuclear weapon."
In response to a question about Trump's claim, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told "NBC News": "The King is naturally aware of his government's firm and well-known position on preventing nuclear proliferation."
Trump warned Iran, saying: "It's better to act smart soon" while considering military options regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
A US official and an informed source said that members of the national security team presented the President with multiple options this week on how to deal with the ongoing chokehold in the key waterway, as peace talks reached a stalemate.
The US official explained that the options discussed during Monday's meeting in the Situation Room included whether the US military presence in the Strait should be changed - either increased or decreased - and whether the military should become more aggressive in carrying out operations there.
Sources said that Trump had not made any decisions about the way forward, and it was not clear when he might make a decision.
The United States showed little immediate enthusiasm for a new Iranian proposal that would end the war and reopen the Strait without resolving the deadlock over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program - a major obstacle in stalled peace talks.
Trump made his remarks early Wednesday morning in a post on "Truth Social."
Trump said: "Iran can't get its act together. They don't know how to sign a non-nuclear deal. They'd better learn fast!"
Trump attached to his post a seemingly AI-generated image of himself holding a pistol, with a message saying: "No More Mr. Nice Guy!"
It was not clear what Trump meant by a "non-nuclear deal."
Washington has publicly insisted that Tehran halt its uranium enrichment program, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this week that any deal must be one that "categorically prevents them from rushing to acquire a nuclear weapon at any time."
