Trump demands new guarantee from Iranians: 'They cannot buy nuclear weapons from other countries'

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U.S. President Donald Trump wants Iran not only to promise not to develop nuclear weapons, but also to guarantee that it will not buy nuclear weapons from other countries in the future. According to Trump, this comprehensive guarantee must be enshrined in a new deal with Iran.

Trump demands comprehensive nuclear guarantee from Iran: "No development AND no purchase"

"Initially there was only a clause that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons," Trump told NBC News. "Everyone was very happy with that, except me. Because what happens if it just buys those weapons?"

He said the U.S. president's demand was initially met with resistance by the Iranians, but he said they have since acquiesced to the condition. Trump maintains that a deal is "very close," although he has made that statement many times in the past, without a final agreement as of yet.

The clause to exclude third-party purchases of nuclear weapons would be an important addition to the existing nuclear agreement. Critics, however, stress that preventing procurement is as difficult to verify as preventing development, as clandestine transactions are difficult to detect.

The negotiations between the U.S. and Iran remain under international scrutiny, with European countries making urgent calls for a final agreement to prevent further escalation in the region. Meanwhile, the conflict continues.

Military killed despite cease-fire

Despite an agreed cease-fire, soldiers on both the Israeli and Lebanese sides have been killed during fighting in southern Lebanon in recent days. After favorable signs that a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran was within reach, the cease-fire suddenly seems more fragile than ever. Indeed, in recent days both countries reported mutual attacks.

Iran won't talk to US due to Israel's violence

In turn, Iran is ceasing communication with the United States because of Israel's continued violence. "That country is in violation on all fronts," reads the Iranian government's explanation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abolghasem Suleimani stated that Iran no longer trusts American diplomatic efforts as long as Israel continues its military campaigns in the region.

Use Iranian assets to compensate Gulf states?

The US says it is looking into whether Iranian assets can be used to compensate Gulf states for damage incurred by the war. The US State Department has set up a special team to assess the value of Iranian financial assets in international banks. The move would potentially lead to a new round of diplomatic tensions with Tehran, which has already indicated it will not allow assets to be frozen for compensation payments to countries it considers as an "enemy."

The international response to the escalation has been divided. European countries have made urgent calls to respect the cease-fire, while Russia and China have criticized the U.S. position and hold Israel responsible for the ongoing destabilization of the region. UNIFIL forces in Lebanon have raised their warnings, reporting that the situation on the border has become "extremely precarious."

Analysts warn that the region is in a critical phase, where any new attack could lead to a wider war that will involve multiple countries in the Middle East. The economic impact on the region is already being felt, with rising oil prices and increasing investment in security measures by Gulf states.

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