PoliticsTrump reaches out to Iran - threatens to destroy it at the same time
SDA
5.2.2025 - 01:50
US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House. He had just signed the executive order to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP/dpa
Keystone
US President Donald Trump has addressed Iran with a message of willingness to talk and toughness at the same time. The Republican brought up the possibility of a direct exchange with the Iranian leadership.
Keystone-SDA
05.02.2025, 01:50
SDA
When asked in the White House in Washington whether he would speak personally with his Iranian counterpart, Trump said: "I would."
He did not care whether he or the Iranian side took the first step. The important thing is to talk to each other. "We'll see whether or not we can agree or work out a deal with Iran," said Trump. His main concern was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. "We don't want to be tough on Iran. We don't want to be tough on anybody. But they simply must not have nuclear weapons," he emphasized.
The USA and Iran do not maintain diplomatic relations - a conversation between Trump and Iranian President Massoud Peseshkian, for example, would therefore be highly unusual.
Carrot and stick
At the same time, the Republican ordered a new pressure campaign against Iran and made harsh threats against Tehran. He announced that his government would exert "maximum pressure" on Iran. Further measures - including sanctions - are to be initiated. These should prevent the country from advancing its nuclear program and supporting terrorist groups in other countries. Trump also did not rule out blocking the sale of Iranian oil.
Trump said he was not happy about ordering these things and hoped that the steps would not actually be used, but that the problems could be solved differently. Addressing Iran directly, he said: "I would love to make a great deal, a deal where you can get on with your lives and you'll have a wonderful time." He hoped that this would succeed "so that we don't have a very catastrophic situation".
Trump threatens Iran with annihilation
At the same time, he threatened Iran with "total annihilation" if the country were to plan an act of revenge and carry out an assassination attempt on him. In response to a corresponding question from reporters, Trump said: "It would be terrible if they did that (...). If they did that, they would be wiped out. That would be the end." Trump followed up: "I left instructions. If they do, they will be wiped out."
During the presidential election campaign, Trump's team announced that the Republican had been briefed by US intelligence - "about real and specific threats from Iran to assassinate him". In 2020, the US military killed Iranian General Ghassem Soleimani on Trump's orders.
The Iranian leadership sees the USA as its arch-enemy. The US government has also long imposed far-reaching sanctions on Iran.