Remarks suggest deal or renewed military action on the table

Trump also reiterates push to make daylight saving time permanent

US President Donald Trump. [Yonhap]
US President Donald Trump. [Yonhap]

US President Donald Trump has again said he will soon make a decision on Iran, raising expectations that the outcome could go to either extreme — a negotiated agreement or a renewed military operation.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Saturday (local time), Trump said he had a decision to make on Iran when asked about the matter.

"Iran has been decimated," he said. "So the only question is whether it's going to be the easy way or the hard way." He added that the United States would see it through either way.

Trump did not elaborate on what he meant by the "easy way" or the "hard way," but the remarks were widely interpreted as alluding to a deal with Iran or a resumption of military action against it.

Trump made similar remarks on Thursday, saying "the time has come to make a decision" and that Iran would either sign an agreement "or it won't exist anymore."

Trump also reiterated his position that daylight saving time should be made permanent.

Daylight saving time advances clocks by one hour during the longer days of summer. The United States adjusts its clocks twice a year — in March and November — with the aim of conserving energy and boosting economic activity.

The practice has drawn growing controversy in recent years, however, with critics citing the inconvenience of resetting clocks and the broader social costs of the twice-yearly change.

"People don't want to change their clocks twice a year," Trump said, urging the Senate to pass legislation that would make daylight saving time year-round, following the House's approval of such a bill.


carrier@heraldcorp.com