President Donald Trump recently announced the US and Iran are close to signing an agreement over the latter’s nuclear development programs.
Referencing reports announcing Iran’s preliminary agreement to the US’s proposed terms for a nuclear agreement, President Trump said. "You probably read today the story about Iran having sort of agreed to the terms. They're not going to make, I call it in a friendly way, nuclear dust.”
Trump continued, explaining that he desired Iran’s prosperity, but that such prosperity could not include possession of nuclear weapons.
“I want them to succeed. I want them to end up being a great country frankly, but they can't have a nuclear weapon," continued Trump.
For decades, it has been the policy of the US and allies that Iran ought not to possess weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Whether it be via conducting military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, imposing economic sanctions, or attempting diplomatic agreements such as the failed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Western countries have spared no expense in blocking Iran from gaining WMDs.
However, Iran has managed to circumvent the US and allies’ pressure and continued developing WMDs.
Iran Watch, an organization devoted to exposing Iran’s weapons development programs, recently reported Iran is dangerously close to obtaining nuclear weapons.
Iran Watch claimed Iran has “accomplished over 90% of the work needed to bring natural uranium to weapon-grade.”
Upon becoming President, Trump, in line with his “peace through strength” foreign diplomacy approach, issued stern warnings to Iran to deter the further development of its nuclear weapons programs.
Trump has repeatedly warned that Iran should acquiesce to the US’s demands or suffer economic and military retaliation.
"I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable to doing the obvious," stated Trump.
Recently, Trump went as far as threatening Iran with “bombing” if their nuclear development programs continue.
Such bombing could be imminent, as the US military is reinforcing its firepower in the Middle East by relocating more Naval strike groups to the area.
If Trump’s statements are true, then Iran’s preliminary agreement to US-proposed terms for a new nuclear deal suggests the Trump administration’s strategy may have intimidated Iran into acquiescing to the US’s demands.
