Trump administration sets three non-negotiable conditions for Iran deal

The Donald Trump administration has outlined three nonnegotiable conditions for any future agreement with Iran with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stating that Tehran must surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons and ensure unrestricted navigation through the Strait of HormuzBessent made the remarks during a White House briefing on Wednesday as discussions between Washington and Tehran continued amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing diplomatic effortsUS sets clear benchmarks for agreementAddressing reporters Bessent said the Trump administrations position had been clearly defined by the president and would form the basis of any potential agreement with IranldquoThe teams have been going back and forthrdquo Bessent said referring to ongoing negotiationsHe reiterated the conditions that Washington considers essential before any deal can move forwardldquoIran has to turn over their highly enriched uranium They cannot pursue a nuclear weapon And the Strait of Hormuz has to have free transit Navigation of the seas has to be free and open as it was beforerdquo Bessent saidHe added that Trump would not agree to terms that fail to meet US expectationsldquoHersquos not going to take a bad deal Hersquos going to make a great deal for the American peoplerdquo the Treasury Secretary saidAdministration avoids confirming reports of tentative dealBessent repeatedly declined to confirm media reports suggesting that a preliminary understanding may already have been reached between the two sidesReports have indicated that discussions could include a temporary extension of a ceasefire arrangement and the continuation of nuclear negotiations for a fixed periodHowever when asked whether such an agreement had already been finalised Bessent avoided providing specific detailsldquoEverything depends on what the president wants to dordquo he saidldquoItrsquos always a mistake to get out ahead of the presidentrdquoHis remarks suggested that negotiations remain fluid and that no final decision has yet been announced by the White HouseSanctions relief linked to Iranian concessionsThe Treasury Secretary also indicated that any discussion on sanctions relief would depend on Iran first meeting Washingtonrsquos core demandsAccording to Bessent the administration is not prepared to offer concessions unless Tehran demonstrates tangible progress on the issues outlined by the United StatesldquoNothing is going to be on the table until we see the Strait of Hormuz open and the Iranians agree that they have to turn over the highly enriched uranium and that they canrsquot have a nuclear programmerdquo he saidThe comments reflect the administrationrsquos strategy of maintaining economic pressure while pursuing diplomatic engagementTrump administration claims pressure campaign is workingBessent argued that the combination of sanctions military deterrence and diplomatic pressure had succeeded in bringing Iran back to negotiationsHe claimed that the current talks represented a significant shift compared to previous diplomatic effortsldquoPresident Trump has done something that no other administration has been able to do We have gotten the Iranians to talk about their nuclear programme and to perhaps commit to not having onerdquo he saidldquoThat has never happened beforerdquoThe administration has consistently maintained that its pressure campaign has strengthened Washingtonrsquos bargaining position during negotiationsDiplomacy preferred but military option remainsWhile emphasising the importance of diplomacy Bessent warned that military action could once again become an option if negotiations fail to produce an acceptable outcomeldquoPresident Trump always prefers a peace dealrdquo he saidHowever he added that the administration would not rule out stronger measures if diplomatic efforts collapseldquoIf President Trump doesnrsquot think he can get a peace deal then kinetic is backrdquo Bessent said referring to the possibility of military actionBessent also claimed that growing pressure on Tehran had complicated decisionmaking within Iranrsquos leadership structureldquoThe Iranian government such as it is is three pillars It is the elected government it is the IRGC and it is the clerics and they are having trouble communicatingrdquo he saidThe latest remarks come as negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue under close international scrutiny with the future of Iranrsquos nuclear programme and security in the Gulf region remaining central issues in the talksWith inputs from IANS