US Eyes Nuclear Deal with Iran Following Years of “Maximum Pressure” 

U.S. President Donald Trump (C), Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan (R) and Acting Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt attend a Cabinet meeting on day 12 of the partial U.S. government shutdown at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Young - RC157E4B5930

United States: President Donald Trump stated he intends to start negotiating diplomatic terms with Iran after reinstating his “maximum pressure” regime against the Islamic Republic. 

More about the news 

Trump posted on Truth Social about the “immediate” start of negotiations regarding such an agreement. 

The president refuted stories that the United States and Israel planned a joint attack on Iran by claiming they were greatly exaggerated. 

“I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper,” Trump added. 

Presidential Representative Donald Trump abolished United States membership in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action during his tenure in 2018, which President Barack Obama had established. 

A memorandum and maximum pressure campaign against Iran started one day after Trump put his signature on it. 

The memorandum presented to the State and Treasury secretaries explained their task of eliminating Iranian oil exports to China and every other nation with no exceptions. 

Iran stands as the third-largest producer of crude oil within the petroleum exporter organization OPEC. 

As per the reports, Trump reported that in the Oval Office, he was not happy about signing the memorandum and hoped “it’s not going to have to be used in any great measure at all.” 

“We don’t want to be tough on Iran, we don’t want to be tough on anybody, but they just can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. 

The prices of US crude oil fell by more than 1 percent alongside global benchmark Brent futures on Wednesday morning. 

What more has the US president stated? 

During his interview with reporters on Tuesday, the president expressed his willingness to discuss issues with the Iranian leader. 

The diplomatic reach to Iran faces significant barriers because Trump disclosed revolutionary plans regarding Palestinian territory and Gaza. 

During his joint press conference with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the president stated Palestinians need to abandon Gaza as the United States plans to transform the territory for reconstruction. 

Israel’s prolonged military campaign in Gaza for more than twelve months has reduced the city to a destroyed state as a result of Hamas’ October 7 terrorist abductions in southern Israel. 

A truce agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect during the same period when Donald Trump officially became president. 

Israel and the Islamic Republic conducted two direct strikes across their mutual borders throughout 2023, which made Middle Eastern countries worry about a total regional conflict.