The United States may strike a diplomatic deal with Iran during Donald Trump’s second term, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing some of the president-elect’s former aides.
At the same time, prior to signing the deal, Trump plans to toughen sanctions against Tehran and to put obstacles to Iranian oil sales, trying to cut off Iran’s oil income, sources told the Wall Street Journal.
Iran in its turn hopes to compensate for the losses by focusing on strengthening its trade contacts through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and other alliances, an unnamed Iranian diplomat was cited as saying.
On Thursday, Brian Hook, who was responsible for US policy toward Iran at the State Department during Trump’s first term, told CNN that the president-elect has no interest in overthrowing Iran’s current leadership. However, in Hook’s opinion, Trump will try to isolate Iran diplomatically and weaken the country economically. Trump will reportedly continue the “maximum pressure” policy in relations with Iran.
Trump announced a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran in 2018. It included putting pressure on Iran in nuclear talks and the return of US sanctions against Tehran.
In 2015, Iran, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Russia, the US and France, as well as the European Union, signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, aimed at limiting Tehran’s nuclear research in exchange for lifting sanctions against Tehran. Trump pulled the US from the deal and reintroduced sanctions in 2018, prompting Iran to renege on its obligations.
A presidential election took place in the United States on November 5. Trump, who served as the US president from 2017-2021, was declared the winner by all leading race callers and networks. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris conceded defeat in an address to supporters.
The Electoral College will vote in accordance with the will of the voters on December 17, and the new Congress will approve the results of the vote on January 6. The presidential inauguration will take place on January 20.
