Trump declares Iran deal over, says US does not need NATO

ANKARA: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that any interim understanding with Iran was “over” and signalled he had no interest in negotiating another agreement with Tehran, while renewing criticism of NATO and announcing plans to end US trade ties with Spain.

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte after the alliance summit in Ankara, Trump said Iran could never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon and described previous negotiations with Tehran as a waste of time.

“I don’t think there is an interim agreement with Iran anymore,” Trump said. “I don’t want a deal with Iran.”

He added that US negotiators were free to continue talks if they wished but indicated he saw little value in further diplomacy.

Trump also claimed the United States had eliminated Iran’s senior leadership and destroyed the country’s military capabilities during the recent conflict. He further alleged that Iran had attacked Saudi Arabian and Qatari aircraft and accused Tehran of being responsible for the deaths of thousands of US troops over the years. He did not provide evidence for those claims.

Reiterating Washington’s position on Iran’s nuclear programme, Trump said Tehran would never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.

The US president also criticised NATO, saying he was dissatisfied with the alliance’s handling of Iran and Greenland and arguing that the United States had been treated unfairly by its allies.

“I am not happy with NATO over Greenland and Iran,” Trump said.

Trump also announced plans to sever trade ties with Spain, saying he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to take steps towards ending commercial relations with Madrid.

“We do not want any trade with Spain,” Trump said. “I do not want any relationship with Spain.”

He also claimed Turkey had wanted to join the conflict against Israel but said he had persuaded Ankara not to become involved. Trump added that China had “treated us well” without elaborating.

Responding to Trump’s remarks, Rutte expressed support for the US position on Iran, saying he stood with the US president on the issue. He also said agreements concerning Greenland would be implemented in phases.

Trump did not elaborate on the measures Washington could take against Spain or provide further details to support several of his claims regarding Iran, which could not be independently verified.