Additional comments from US President Donald Trump’s remarks at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh on the first day of his multi-country Middle East tour. LIVESTREAM
- Trump gives a highly negative assessment of Iran’s leadership and role in regional stability, but says he has “shown repeatedly” that he is willing to “end past conflicts and forge new partnerships”.
- Trump adds: “I have never believed in having permanent enemies.” Says: “I want to make a deal with Iran. If I can make a deal with Iran, I’ll be very happy… But if Iran’s leaders reject this olive branch… Then we will have no choice but to inflict massive, maximum pressure, drive Iranian oil exports to zero…”
- Trump reiterates, “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon… but they can have a brighter future… This is an offer that will not last forever… They have to make their move right now, one way or another…”
- Trump refers to the ongoing nuclear talks with Tehran but declines to offer an update on the current status. The latest round of talks ended on May 11 with an agreement to continue negotiations. A Trump official described the talks as 'encouraging', per CNN.
- Trump says he’s been “working relentlessly” to end the Ukraine war. He notes the proposed ceasefire summit in Turkey on Thursday but doesn’t say if Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed his attendance for what would be his first talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since the war started.