Trump threatens to "destroy" Oman , calls on Qatar and Saudi Arabia for the Abraham Accords
US President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy the Sultanate of Oman if it tries to control the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the strategic waterway must remain open to all without any party controlling it.
Trump's remarks came during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, where he said: "The straits will be open to everyone, and no one will control them.. We will supervise it.Oman will act like any other country, otherwise we will have to destroy them."
In a related development, Iran's deputy secretary of the National Security Council, Ali Bagheri Kani, told reporters that Tehran and Muscat are conducting joint negotiations to define a new system for the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, as part of regional efforts to redefine the security and legal arrangements for the strait.
The Sultanate of Oman has repeatedly declared that the security of the Strait of Hormuz should be managed by the countries of the region, not through external military alliances.
Trump refuses to hand over Iranian uranium to Russia or China
Trump has rejected the idea of handing over Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium to Russia or China, stressing that his administration remains unhappy with the course of ongoing negotiations with Tehran.
Asked about the possibility of transferring Iranian uranium to Moscow or Beijing, he said: "No, that won't satisfy me, I don't want to."
U.S. officials have been considering two key options to "save face" in terms of getting rid of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, as negotiations on a broader nuclear and regional framework continue.
The first option would require Iran to transfer enriched uranium to a third country for processing or disposal, and officials have discussed the possibility of such a country being Russia, China, Turkey, or Pakistan, while the second option would allow Iran to keep the material within its borders, provided it is diluted or neutralized for use under strict international supervision, likely with the involvement of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Russia offers to receive Iran's uranium
Russia announced through its ambassador to the United Nations on Monday (May 25th) that it was ready to receive Iran's enriched uranium, stressing that the final decision rests with Tehran itself.
Trump stressed that Iran "very much wants to make a deal," but added: "So far they haven't gotten there. We are not satisfied with it, but we will. We will either be or we will just have to finish the job."
Speaking about the possible framework for the deal with Tehran, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would be opened immediately under any agreement, but stressed that "no one will control it."
"We will supervise it, but no one will control it. This is part of the negotiations that we are having. They want to control it. No one will control it. It's international waters."
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran possesses about 440 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium, theoretically enough to make more than 10 nuclear warheads.
Trump: Saudi Arabia and Qatar must normalize with Tel Aviv
Trump said Wednesday that he may refuse to conclude a deal with Iran until a number of Middle Eastern countries agree to join the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel.
"It's going to be a very important signal, and I think these countries owe us that," Trump told reporters. "I'm not sure if it's feasible to conclude the deal if they don't sign it."
The US president noted that a number of countries have already joined the agreements, including the United Arab Emirates, describing them as "brave and wonderful countries," adding that the experiment is "very successful and very effective."
Trump said more countries would be "a very good thing" for both Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Earlier, Trump pressed several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords, but so far there have been no signs of any of these countries wanting to join.
Trump: We will give Iran a chance
Trump said that the United States has reached an understanding of things with Iran, noting that a deal can be reached at the current stage, as part of the ongoing negotiations between the two sides.
Trump added that Washington would give Iran a "brief opportunity" at the request of Pakistan's prime minister and army chief, without providing further details about the nature of this role.
He explained that the framework agreement under discussion with Tehran includes "the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz," stressing that he "will not accept an imperfect agreement," adding, "We can make a good deal with Iran at the moment, but it may not be a great deal."
Trump warned that the United States may eventually have to "end it quickly," considering that this option is "possible but unlikely at the moment," in light of what he described as progress on the path of initial understandings with Tehran.
The US president said that the Strait of Hormuz will be "open to all and will not be controlled by anyone", noting that Washington will supervise navigation in it without a monopoly or closure by any party.
Trump added, in remarks quoted by the media, that the United States "will not return any money to the Iranians until they improve their behavior," while stressing that "Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon because it may use it immediately and without hesitation."
The US president clarified that his country is "not currently talking about easing sanctions on Iran", referring to the continued policy of economic pressure on Tehran.
Trump said that if Iran does not provide what Washington wants, "the Secretary of War will work to finish the job," without providing further details, while indirect negotiations between the two sides continue on the Iranian nuclear file and regional tensions.