SAEDNEWS: US Treasury Secretary Says Any US–Iran Agreement Depends on “What President Trump Wants to Do”
According to a political report from SaedNews news service, citing Khabar Online, Scott Bessent told reporters during a White House briefing on Thursday local time that any possible agreement between the United States and Iran would depend on whether President Donald Trump decides to support it.
According to IRNA, Bessent said in the press briefing that “everything depends on what decision the president wants to make, and President Trump is not going to make a bad deal for the American people.”
Bessent declined to confirm details of a reported interim agreement between Washington and Tehran, but claimed that President Trump would not accept a “bad deal” with Iran and is only seeking a “great deal.”
He, who attended the briefing in place of Karoline Leavitt, also claimed that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the surrender of Iran’s enriched uranium, and the complete halt of Iran’s nuclear program are among the United States’ “clear red lines” in negotiations, and that no agreement would proceed without them.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary also downplayed suggestions that sanctions on Iran could be lifted as part of a final agreement, telling reporters that progress on such issues would be “very slow.”
He further claimed that the process is “multi-layered,” insisting that until the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, Iran agrees to hand over highly enriched uranium, and its nuclear program is completely halted, “nothing will be on the table.”
When asked directly whether a deal with Iran is currently on the table, Bessent did not give a clear answer but said that “teams have been going back and forth constantly.”
He reiterated that Trump would not accept a “bad deal” and has set several “red lines” regarding Iran.
Bessent also did not confirm reports suggesting that an interim agreement between Tehran and Washington has already been finalized.
He repeatedly faced questions from reporters about alleged understandings reached between Iranian and American negotiators but maintained that he had not discussed the matter with Trump prior to the briefing.
He told journalists that “it is always wrong to get ahead of the president,” adding that all decisions will ultimately be made by the president.
Bessent further commented on Trump’s statement that he does not care about the upcoming midterm elections while seeking a deal with Iran, calling it a “statesman-like” position.
He also said that both outcomes could be true at the same time: that the administration could perform well in the midterm elections while also potentially seeing signs of an emerging agreement.
Trump reportedly made similar remarks during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, saying regarding Iran: “They thought they could outlast me… they said we can survive longer, he has the midterms coming. I don’t care about the midterms.”
Bessent also acknowledged that the U.S. economy is currently “facing challenges,” while noting that unemployment remains low, tax refunds are still high, and consumer spending remains relatively strong. He added that he is in constant contact with banks and that all income groups are still in a reasonably good position.
