N-deal or oil export ban, US Prez threatens Iran

Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia urged Iran to take a “new and a better path” as he pushes Tehran for a new nuclear deal, but he also warned “massive maximum pressure” if it doesn’t come around. He said at the US-Saudi investment conference that he wanted to avoid conflict with Tehran but warned that time was running out as Iran made rapid progress with its nuclear programme.

“As I have shown repeatedly, I am willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences may be profound,” Trump said. “If Iran’s leadership rejects this olive branch … we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure, drive Iranian oil exports to zero.”

The comments came as he kicked off a four-day visit to West Asia on Tuesday with his visit to the Saudi capital. Trump in the speech also said he hoped that Saudi Arabia would soon join the Abraham Accords and recognise Israel “in your own time”.

In a separate development, Trump announced he was lifting US sanctions on Syria.

The White House also announced that Trump would meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday. Trump also signed a host of economic and bilateral cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi de facto ruler, has already committed to some $600 billion in new Saudi investment in the US, but Trump teased $1 trillion would be even better.

World