Trump: US-Iran ceasefire talks progressing well, potential MOU this weekend
WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday (local time) that ceasefire negotiations with Iran are progressing well and that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a ceasefire could be agreed upon as early as this weekend.
After signing an executive order at the White House, Trump told reporters who asked whether the US-Iran ceasefire agreement remains valid after Iran attacked Kuwait, "I heard that the negotiation itself is going very well."
Regarding the prospect of an agreement, he said, "It may not happen, but if it does, it could happen as early as this weekend."
He also explained, "Theoretically, they are quite close to signing a document."
Regarding Iran's attack on Kuwait, Trump said, "There is a reason for everything," adding that the U.S. had also inflicted significant military damage on Iran recently. He added, "They retaliated."
He went on to say, "The ceasefire there is different from the ceasefire in other parts of the world," expressing the stance that the ceasefire between the two countries is being maintained.
The US military attacked facilities such as radar on Geysum Island on the 1st, and on the 2nd, it neutralized an Iranian oil tanker with missiles. Iran attacked Kuwait International Airport with drones on this day, killing at least one person, injuring several, and causing property damage.
Trump's remarks are interpreted as an intention to maintain the negotiation phase by interpreting Iran's attack on Kuwait not as a violation of the ceasefire, but as retaliation for the US military action.
Regarding the specific progress of the negotiations, Trump reiterated his claim that Iran has agreed not to develop or purchase nuclear weapons.
Regarding Iran's high-enriched uranium (HEU) processing issue, he said it would be "secured" in the very near future. Trump also said, "As of this point, we have agreed to go in with them (Iran) and secure and destroy it."
Trump also announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened immediately upon the signing of the MOU for a ceasefire with Iran.
When asked if the ongoing Israeli attacks targeting the pro-Iranian armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon could affect the ceasefire negotiations between the US and Iran, Trump replied, "We are trying to separate that issue."
Trump said that as a result of communicating with both Israel and Hezbollah, both sides have expressed their intention to refrain from further attacks. He added, "We will have to see what happens, but I want to separate this issue (from the negotiations with Iran)."
Meanwhile, when asked what he would wish for while blowing out the candles on his birthday cake, as he will celebrate his 80th birthday on the 14th, Trump mentioned his representative slogan "MAGA" (Make America Great Again) and replied, "That's all I want."
