President Trump: "Iran Will Never Possess Nuclear Weapons"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As Iran has effectively declared its withdrawal from the nuclear agreement (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 6th (local time) via his Twitter account, "Iran will never have nuclear weapons."

This statement came after the death of Qasem Soleimani, a powerful figure in the Iranian military, in a U.S. airstrike, which escalated tensions between the two countries, and following Iran's declaration that it would no longer abide by the nuclear agreement made in 2015 with the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany).

Major foreign media reported that "President Trump reiterated the White House's position that Iran will never possess nuclear weapons but did not disclose any other specific details."

The Trump administration has been pursuing a 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran, which could help bring Iran to the negotiating table, while also expressing willingness to engage in dialogue with Iran, according to foreign media.

Although Iran effectively declared its withdrawal from the nuclear agreement the day before, it stated in a press release that it would continue cooperation with the IAEA as before and set the condition that it would return to the nuclear agreement if the U.S. lifts economic and financial sanctions against Iran. White House Senior Advisor Kellyanne Conway told reporters that President Trump remains confident that the nuclear agreement with Iran can still be renegotiated, according to foreign media.

When asked if President Trump still believes he can negotiate a new nuclear agreement with Iran, Conway said, "He said he is open to it. Of course, if Iran wants to start acting like a normal country," adding this.

In an interview with Fox News on the same day, Conway also defended President Trump's decision regarding the Soleimani airstrike.