Trump: I Do Not Demand Lebanon Be Part of a Short-Term Agreement with Iran

SadaNews - President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he does not demand Lebanon to be part of a short-term agreement with Iran.

He added in statements to NBC News that he would not lift the freeze on Iranian assets or any sanctions in advance as part of any agreement with Tehran.

Trump emphasized that "if Iran behaves well, and if it does a good job, then we will start talking," noting that he wants "a clause that ensures Iran does not circumvent the potential agreement."

The war in Iran entered its one hundredth day on this Sunday amid escalating tensions and exchange of fire between Washington and Tehran, alongside a stalemate in negotiations.

Since the ceasefire on April 8, the United States and Iran have been engaged in Pakistani-mediated discussions that have seen back-and-forth exchanges and mutual threats along with intermittent military skirmishes, with neither side succeeding in reaching an understanding to end the war that Washington and Israel launched against the Islamic Republic on February 28.

In a related matter, Reuters reported from sources that the United States would allow the use of Iranian assets for the reconstruction of damage caused by Tehran in the Gulf.

The source added that Washington is also considering using the assets to support the repair of any future damages. The agency reported that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Pysent has directed a team to evaluate the costs of damages already inflicted by Iran on its Gulf allies.

Although those involved have confirmed that discussions have made progress recently, many points of divergence remain between Washington and Tehran, including the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear program, and Israel's ongoing war in Lebanon against Hezbollah, Iran's ally.