Trump sets 3 red lines for Iran deal

Washington: The Trump administration has set three non-negotiable conditions for any agreement with Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, insisting Tehran surrender its highly enriched uranium, abandon any pursuit of a nuclear weapon and ensure free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Talks between the two sides are continuing, but Bessent declined to confirm reports that a tentative agreement had been reached. “The teams have been going back and forth,” Bessent told reporters at a White House briefing. He said President Donald Trump had made his position clear during a Cabinet meeting a day earlier.

“Iran has to turn over its highly enriched uranium. It cannot pursue a nuclear wea­pon. And there has to be free transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Navigation of the seas has to be free and open as it was before,” Bessent said. 

“He’s not going to take a bad deal. He’s going to make a great deal for the American people.”

toughest Russian oil sanctions: Bessent

Bessent defended the Trump administration’s record on Russia sanctions, saying it had imposed tougher measures on Moscow's oil sector than any previous US administration despite criticism of Washington’s approach to the Ukraine war. 

Bessent said the administration had taken unprecedented action against Russia’s energy industry, including sanctions targeting two of the country’s largest oil companies. 

–IANS

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shows the design for a $250 bill 

featuring Donald Trump, anticipating the passage of stalled law in Congress to place the president on a new denomination of legal tender.

This administration has imposed the toughest sanctions on Russia of any US administration. 

Scott Bessent 

US Treasury Secretary