US President Donald Trump said Thursday evening in an interview with Channel 14 that the new agreement signed the night before between Washington and Tehran could reshape the Middle East. He said he believes the deal will ultimately lead to the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program and of Hezbollah, which he described as a terrorist organization.
Trump firmly rejected reports that the United States might impose an arms embargo on Israel if it continues military activity in Lebanon. Asked about the rumor, he said, "I have never heard that rumor." He also said there is no room for compromise on Hezbollah’s weapons, stating, "Hezbollah needs to disarm."
On the possibility that Tehran will fail to meet its obligations and will not dismantle its nuclear infrastructure, Trump said the current situation favors the West, but force remains an option. "I think we are in a very good position. They will agree, and if not, they will be attacked very strongly," he said.
Asked whether the United States would stand with Israel if Jerusalem decided to act independently against Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump gave a limited answer: "If it is a not significant attack, definitely." Despite recent reports of ups and downs in his ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the relationship remains strong, calling it "very good, excellent."
