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A 3D-printed miniature figure of Donald Trump accompanied by the flags of the United States and Iran can be seen in this image taken on January 15, 2025. — Reuters
– Western nations accuse Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons.
– Iran asserts its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful energy purposes.
– Sanctions are imposed to restrict Iran’s nuclear and missile-related dealings.
Washington: President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Iran has requested the lifting of hefty U.S. sanctions on Tehran and expressed willingness to discuss the matter.
“Honestly, Iran has been asking if the sanctions could be lifted. They’re under very severe U.S. sanctions, which makes things challenging,” Trump stated during a dinner with Central Asian leaders.
“I’m willing to listen and see what might happen, but I am open to that possibility.”
For years, Western countries, including the United States, have accused Iran of pursuing atomic weapons, a claim Iran denies by stating its nuclear program is for peaceful energy development.
Iran has been under international sanctions for several years, especially after the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran in 2018 and reinstated strict punitive measures.
In June, Israel conducted an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, which led to a brief war involving U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
That 12-day conflict with Israel, which included missile and drone attacks from Iran, disrupted nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington that had started in April.
Trump claimed that Iran was once the “bully of the Middle East” but no longer possesses the “possibility of nuclear weapons.”
Since regaining office in January, Trump has repeatedly stated that the strikes destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities, although the full extent of the damage remains unclear.
In September, the UN reimposed sanctions on Tehran under the “snapback” mechanism initiated by Britain, France, and Germany. These measures restrict dealings related to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
Oman, which has hosted several rounds of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, has urged both sides to resume negotiations aimed at a new deal that would limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
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