Trump: We are close to reaching an agreement with Iran; I am not seeking regime change

Washington, June 7 (KUNA) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that reaching an agreement with Iran is “close at hand,” while adding that he “is not seeking to change the Iranian regime.” During a press conference in the Oval Office of the White House, President Trump explained that his administration had obtained concessions and that the Iranians must adhere to them, stressing that Tehran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. He affirmed that he is not seeking regime change, noting, “Although that would constitute a change of regime: the first regime is gone, the second regime is gone, and I believe the third regime is more rational, but we will see what happens.”

President Trump pointed out that oil prices are now at a lower level than before the start of the war, adding that the U.S. Navy had imposed on Iran “the greatest blockade the world has ever seen,” with no single ship able to breach it, thereby disrupting Iran’s energy supplies. He reiterated that he prefers to reach an agreement because he does not want to harm 91 million people, “even though the U.S. military could destroy their bridges within an hour, disrupt and eliminate Iran’s energy supplies, and shut down its power and energy generation plants.”

It is worth noting that the United States and Iran last month reached a 14-point framework agreement, setting a 60-day period for negotiations on easing sanctions, Iran’s nuclear program, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. (End) R.S.R. / F.L.A.