U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he would be open to Iran suspending its nuclear weapons program for 20 years, provided the commitment is genuine. The remarks came as the conflict in the Middle East reached its 76th day.
Trump's Comments on Iran Nuclear Program
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One after returning from a summit in China, Trump said the United States may need to conduct "a little clean-up work in Iran" without providing further details. He noted that a month-long ceasefire was agreed upon largely due to requests from other nations, particularly Pakistan.
"I wouldn't have really been in favour of it, but we did it as a favour to Pakistan," Trump said, referring to the temporary halt in hostilities.
U.S.-China Summit on Iran
Following a several-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Trump indicated that both leaders agreed Iran must not possess a nuclear weapon and must reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The comments offered little insight into whether China, the primary purchaser of Iranian oil, would leverage its influence to end the war.
China's foreign ministry issued a statement expressing frustration with the ongoing conflict, calling it "a conflict which should never have happened" and stating it "has no reason to continue."
Attack in Lebanon
In a separate development, Lebanon's National News Agency reported that Israel conducted a double-tap attack on a car in Nabetieh, killing two men who were delivering food aid. The attack also damaged three ambulances, destroying one. Additionally, at least four people were killed when an Israeli warplane struck a house in Harouf overnight.
Strait of Hormuz Disruption
Iran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz to most shipping traffic in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks that began on February 28, causing significant disruption to global energy supplies. Trump reiterated that reopening the strait is a key condition for any resolution.
