Trump Rejects Transit Fees in Potential Deal with Iran
Washington (ANTARA) - US President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday (24/6) that any final agreement with Iran that includes fees on the shipment of goods or maritime transit would be “unacceptable” to the US.
Speaking to journalists following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump was asked whether he would reject a final deal with Iran if it permitted any form of levy on shipments or maritime activities.
“That is unacceptable to me,” said Trump.
The US President argued that allowing the imposition of fees could create a precedent that might encourage similar demands elsewhere.
“If you do that for them, you have to do it for other parties. I will not allow it there either… It would change everything,” he said.
Last week, Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian electronically signed a memorandum aimed at paving the way to end the war launched by Washington and Tel Aviv against Iran since 28 February 2026.
Under the agreement, Washington and Tehran are conducting 60 days of negotiations, with the possibility of an extension, aimed at reaching a final deal covering Iran’s nuclear programme and international sanctions.
Trump also stated that the US is “doing well” in the negotiations with Iran.
When asked about a US attack on 28 February that reportedly occurred at an elementary school in Minab, Iran, which killed more than 170 people—mostly schoolgirls—Trump said he had not yet seen reports on the matter.
“I have to wait until it is finished… I do not know if they will ever resolve the issue of who is at fault, because there were missiles flying everywhere,” Trump added.
He described what happened as “horrific.”
“But there were missiles flying everywhere, and someone says it was our missile. Perhaps it was not our missile, but I have not seen anything that makes me believe it was our missile. There are many missiles being flown by others,” said Trump.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the US has responded to the investigation “with great seriousness.”
Trump reaffirmed that he does not believe the attack was carried out by the US.
Previously, when asked about the attack last week, Trump told a reporter: “This is a very strange question to ask at this time, because you are talking about a long time ago.”
Several independent investigations have concluded that the US was responsible for the widely condemned attack, citing evidence such as US Tomahawk missiles hitting the school.
Trump had previously hinted that Iran has access to these US-made missiles.