Trump tells BBC a 'very good' deal is near; presses Israel to hold off on strikes as negotiations enter final stage

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US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One on June 5, local time, en route to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. [AFP]
US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One on June 5, local time, en route to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. [AFP]

US President Donald Trump said Monday that negotiations with Iran are entering their final stage and that he will secure a strong deal that categorically bars Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. On the question of Israel — long the biggest wild card in the talks — Trump said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu follows his lead.

Speaking to the BBC in a phone interview Monday, Trump said, "We are very close to making a very powerful deal," adding that "it's going to be a very good deal."

On the substance of the agreement, he said, "No nuclear weapons. No anything else," reaffirming his position that any path to an Iranian nuclear arsenal must be completely cut off.

Asked how he has been managing Israeli military action during the negotiations, Trump said, "All I did was say you have to use common sense."

Trump called Netanyahu on two consecutive days, pressing him to hold off on military action as the talks with Iran moved toward a conclusion. The calls reflected concern that additional airstrikes could destabilize the negotiations at a critical juncture.

Trump rebuffed suggestions that Netanyahu had carried out strikes independently despite US objections, saying, "No. The missiles were already launched — they were already in the air."

He went on to say, "Netanyahu does what I tell him to do," signaling confidence in his influence over Israel.

The remarks came as the United States and Iran were working to finalize the language of a memorandum of understanding. Israeli military operations related to Lebanon and Iran have been cited as the most significant variable in the recent rounds of talks.

Trump pressed Netanyahu in forceful terms during a June 1 call to refrain from further strikes. Israel and Iran subsequently announced Monday that they were halting military operations.


sjy@heraldcorp.com