Trump warns of renewed strikes if Iran fails to reach nuclear deal

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump told The New York Times on Sunday that if Iran failed to reach a final nuclear accord with the United States, he would restart military attacks on Tehran, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

In an interview, Trump said that if Iran did not reach the nuclear agreement with the US – a process his aides said they expected would begin on Friday in Switzerland – he would restart military attacks on Iran or make the US “the guardian of the Middle East” in return for 20% of the region’s revenues.

He also said the agreement he reached with Iran would ultimately ensure that the Strait of Hormuz is “permanently toll free”.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced early on Monday that the US and Iran had reached a peace agreement following intensive negotiations, with both sides declaring an immediate and permanent end to military operations across all fronts, including in Lebanon.

Trump later confirmed the deal, saying it was “now complete.”

During the interview with The New York Times, Trump said the deal was reached despite objections from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“He’s a very difficult guy,” he said, referring to Netanyahu. “And, to be honest with you, he should be very thankful to us for doing this. Because if Iran had a nuclear weapon, Israel wouldn’t be around for two hours.”