“Actions speak louder than words.” But Donald Trump has been very talkative about Iran in the past days and during his trip to Israel and Egypt. Here is a compilation of Trump’s reported sayings about Iran and reactions by some others.
Trump welcoming first phase of Gaza peace plan, October 9
"Because of us, the enemies of all civilization are in retreat, thanks to the bravery and skill of the Israeli defense forces and Operation Rising Lion. Great job and my people loved working with you. Many of Iran’s top terrorists including nuclear scientists and commanders have been extinguished from this earth."
"We dropped 14 bombs on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which has been confirmed to have obliterated those facilities and together we helped stop the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism from making nuclear weapons. If we didn’t do that, there would be a dark cloud over this [Gaza] deal. This was our last shot.”
"When someone told me [Iran] had started their nuclear program again, I said, they’re not starting anything, they want to survive, the last thing they want is to start digging holes again in mountains that just got blown up. But first we have to get Russia done."
“Iran wants to work on peace now. They’ve informed us they are totally in favor of this [Gaza] deal. We appreciate that, and we’ll work with Iran.”
"The hand of friendship and cooperation is open. I’m telling you, they [Iran] want to make a deal. It would be great if we could make a deal."
"Iran, we are ready when you are and it will be the best decision Iran has ever made, and it’s gonna happen."
Trump Speech to Israeli Knesset, October 13
"Frankly, if we didn't hit [Iran] with the nuclear, I don't think you would have been able to have this incredible, this [Gaza] deal, this once-in-a-lifetime deal. Nobody's ever said anything like what's happening today."
"Iran did put out a statement that they support this [Gaza] deal very wholeheartedly. So that was, in itself, something."
"It would be great if we made a peace deal with [Iran], wouldn’t it be nice, I think they want to, I think they’re tired. That's all I do in my life. I make deals. And they want to make a deal."
Press Conference at Sharm al-Sheikh, October 13
"I think Iran is going to be fine. I know so many Iranian people. They're great people. They're smart. Great, great people. Engineers, lawyers. I mean, they're academics. But they took a big hit."
"I think Iran will come along. They've been battered and bruised and, you know, they're out there. They need some help. There are big sanctions, as you know, tremendous sanctions."
"I'd love to take the sanctions off when they're ready to talk. But they can't really survive with those sanctions."
Meanwhile from the U.S. State Department
Reaffirmed Washington’s readiness for “full cooperation” in exchange for Iran suspending its nuclear program. “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Beyond that … it is not in our national interest to negotiate these issues publicly.”
“Should the Iranians want to negotiate, the ball is in their court. They are the ones that stand to benefit from the negotiation.”
“We are ready to talk directly. The United States has kept the door open for serious and direct dialogue, even as Iran has consistently rejected negotiations.”
From Trita Parsi, Exec VP, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
“Iran is open to a deal. But regardless of Trump’s positive tone and kind words, what he is looking for is for Iran to capitulate. As long as he insists on zero enrichment, I don’t think he will get a deal.”
“There’s a perception [in Tehran] that the US is using diplomacy to lull Iran into a false sense of security."
From Gregory Brew, Eurasia Group
“Trump can sound optimistic about diplomacy, but he can also afford to wait and let Iran sweat. With its nuclear programme in ruins, and with new Israeli strikes likely if Iran takes steps to rebuild the programme, [Iran doesn’t] have many good options. Trump may be willing to let the matter rest for a few months to see if increased economic pain forces Iran back to the negotiating table on favorable terms.”
I think Parsi and Brew have it about right.
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