Trump sends a deterrent message to Iran despite progress in negotiations
The US president says he will do what he has to do if Tehran fails to comply with its agreement with Washington, in an attempt to keep Iranian leadership under pressure despite a wave of optimism in the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump stated that he would “do what he has to do” if Iran fails to honor its agreement with Washington, issuing a stern warning despite expectations of significant progress in the negotiation process and the suspension of US sanctions on Tehran for 60 days starting Monday, following the first talks under an agreement aimed at ending the conflict between the two countries.
Speaking to reporters, he added: “If Iran does not comply with its agreement, or if it does not behave properly, I will do what I have to do,” hinting at a possible resumption of hostilities. His remarks are part of continued US pressure on the Islamic Republic, despite Iranian officials condemning earlier threats from the US president and warning of their impact on the negotiations.
The US president and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian signed a provisional agreement last week, more than three months after the US-Israeli attack on Iran, which the Islamic Republic responded to with strikes against Israel and Gulf countries hosting US bases.
On Monday, Trump said Iran would use the released funds exclusively to purchase food from the United States. Meanwhile, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati stated that Tehran is not obliged to buy US agricultural products under the current memorandum.
He added: “All this money will come back in the form of food purchases they desperately need. They have a population of 91 million and cannot feed them. Therefore, the funds we unfreeze will go to our farmers.” However, Hemmati said the remaining frozen assets would not necessarily be limited to essential goods and that Iran could also purchase other non-sanctioned items.
In response to Trump’s remarks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that talks with the United States would only be “effective” if both sides fully adhered to the commitments outlined in the signed memorandum and implemented all its provisions.
In a post on the X platform on Tuesday, he added that any statements made outside the agreed text could negatively affect the negotiation process, stressing that progress would be measured by actual implementation of commitments and responsibilities, rather than public statements or rhetoric.
Iran and the United States announced on June 14 that they had reached a 14-point memorandum of understanding, brokered by Pakistan, aimed at ending the conflict and addressing disputes through dialogue and negotiation.
The memorandum, known as the “Islamabad Understanding,” entered into force on June 18 after being electronically signed by both the US and Iranian presidents.
The agreement includes provisions related to ending hostilities, including in Lebanon, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and lifting the maritime blockade imposed by the United States on Iran.
