US President Donald Trump said Iran is seeking an agreement with Washington as he considers whether to launch another major military operation against Tehran, with the US-Iran war now in its seventh month.
Speaking by phone with NewsNation, Trump was asked about his recent statement that he was approaching a decision on whether to “annihilate” Iran.
“We’ll see what happens,” Trump said.
Asked what he wanted Iran to do before making that decision, Trump said Tehran was now interested in reaching an agreement.
“Right now, they want to make a deal,” he said, arguing that Iran was “losing in every way” financially and militarily.
“If the deal’s not a correct deal, then I wouldn’t even think about it,” Trump added. “But right now, they want to make a deal because they’re losing in every way.”
Trump had told Axios a day earlier that he faced a “big decision” over whether to resume large-scale attacks against Iran, while also saying Tehran remained in direct contact with Washington and wanted an agreement.
The US president also disclosed that Washington was communicating with Yemen’s Houthi group, suggesting that the possibility of an agreement was being explored.
“They would like to see if we can make a deal,” Trump said of the Houthis.
Trump has recently expressed hope that the prolonged conflict with Iran may be approaching an end, even as he continues to leave open the possibility of renewed large-scale military action. Tehran, however, has not publicly confirmed that formal direct negotiations with Washington have resumed.