NK MONITORING DESK
WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump said late Thursday that Iran has been signaling interest in having American sanctions eased, suggesting that Tehran is struggling under the weight of the restrictions.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump noted that Iran is facing “very tough” U.S. sanctions that are limiting its options. “They’ve asked whether the sanctions could be lifted,” he said. “I’m willing to listen, and we’ll see where it goes. I’d be open to it.”
Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately offer a reaction to Trump’s remarks.
Earlier this week, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated that cooperation with Washington is off the table as long as the U.S. maintains support for Israel, keeps military bases in the region, and continues what Tehran views as interference in Middle Eastern affairs.
Since beginning his second term in January, Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” strategy aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. As part of that approach, the U.S. carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
Before tensions escalated into a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June, Washington and Tehran had met for five rounds of nuclear negotiations. However, progress stalled over key issues—most notably Western demands that Iran reduce uranium enrichment to eliminate any path toward weaponization, a condition Iran has firmly refused.
