ISTANBUL

Following executive orders aimed at imposing “maximum economic pressure” on longtime US foe Iran, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday pivoted, voicing his desire to have Iran as a “great and successful country," but one without nuclear weapons."

On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he wants “Iran to be a great and successful Country, but one that cannot have a Nuclear Weapon.”

Claiming that reports of the US working together with Israel to “blow Iran into smithereens” were “greatly exaggerated,” Trump stressed that he would prefer a “Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper.”

He also expressed his desire to work on such an agreement immediately and have a “big Middle East Celebration when it is signed and completed.”​​​​​​​