Trump says Iran's nuclear programme is an obstacle in negotiations

Washington (ANTARA) - US President Donald Trump stated that Iran’s nuclear programme is still an obstacle in the negotiations conducted in Islamabad last weekend, even though delegations from both countries have agreed on several matters to end the conflict.

However, Trump believes that ultimately Tehran will agree to the conditions put forward by Washington to stop the development of its nuclear weapons.

“I think they will agree to it. I’m almost certain. In fact, I’m certain. If they don’t agree, there will be no deal. Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” Trump said on Monday (13/4).

He praised US Vice President JD Vance, who led the negotiation team including the US President’s Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, in the negotiations mediated by Pakistan.

“Well, he (Vance) has done a good job, as have Steve and Jared; they all did a very good job. We have been called by the other side (Iran). They are very eager to make a deal,” said Trump, when asked if he would send Vance back for possible follow-up talks with Tehran.

Iran and the US held talks in Islamabad on Saturday (11/4), after Trump announced a two-week ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington.

However, the Islamabad negotiations - considered the most historic meeting since the US and Iran severed diplomatic relations in 1979 - failed to produce an agreement to ease the conflict in the Middle East region.

Following the failure of those negotiations, Trump ordered the US Navy to blockade the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday at 14:00 GMT (21:00 WIB).

According to Trump, the move aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to lower global oil prices and pressure Iran to return to the negotiating table.

On the other hand, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmail Baghaei described the US blockade as an act of revenge against the global economy.

Source: Sputnik/RIA Novosti-OANA