With the West Asia conflict continuing and a peace deal hanging in the air, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his administration is seeking a massive $1.5 trillion investment in the American military over the coming year, while also claiming that Iran is desperate to strike a deal with Washington.
Speaking during his administration’s 12th Cabinet meeting, the two-time US President struck a combative tone on Tehran even as he signalled openness to a negotiated settlement over Iran’s nuclear programme.
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“We’re asking for a $1.5 trillion investment into the US military for the coming year,” Trump said. "Iran is very much intent on making a deal, though so far they haven't succeeded. We're not satisfied with it yet, but we will be, either that or we'll have to finish the job," he added.
Trump claimed that the Islamic Republic's military capabilities and economy had been severely damaged, and argued that Tehran was now negotiating from a position of vulnerability.
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“Their Navy and Air Force are gone, everything is gone, and they’re negotiating on fumes,” he told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
The businessman-turned-politician further painted a grim picture of the Iran's economic condition. “They don't really have a choice; their economy is in freefall with 250% inflation, their money has no value, and their whole economic system is broken,” Trump said.
At the same time, he reiterated Washington’s long-standing position that Iran would not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. I'm doing this for the world, not just for us."
Hormuz proposal
According to Iranian state television, discussions are underway over a draft memorandum of understanding that could reportedly include the withdrawal of US military forces from areas around Iran and the easing of naval restrictions imposed during the conflict.
In return, Tehran is said to have proposed restoring commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within a month, although military vessels would reportedly remain outside the proposed arrangement.
However, the White House swiftly dismissed the Iranian media reports, calling the claims surrounding the proposed ceasefire framework a “complete fabrication”.
Despite the denial, reports in recent weeks have indicated that negotiators from both sides have been exploring a broader 14-point understanding that could include sanctions relief, release of frozen Iranian assets and mechanisms allowing Iran to resume oil exports.
Iranian state media also claimed that if a final agreement is reached within 60 days, the understanding could eventually be formalised through a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.
Meanwhile, the proposed spending push for the US military during Wednesday's Cabinet meeting comes amid growing concerns in Washington over the cost of the Iran conflict and the depletion of critical US weapons stockpiles.
A recent analysis by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies warned that it could take years for American defence manufacturers to replenish advanced systems such as Tomahawk missiles, Patriot interceptors and THAAD batteries heavily used during the war.
