Trump says US not after regime change in Iran as war threats lose momentum
Tehran (KNA) - US President Donald Trump says his administration is not looking for regime change in Iran and would rather sit down for talks, signaling a change of tone after a period of saber-rattling that saw him and other US officials threaten the Islamic Republic with war in hope of getting concessions.
"We're not looking for regime change, we're looking for no nuclear weapons," Trump said at a press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo Monday, adding that he thinks "we'll make a deal" with Tehran.
"I really believe that Iran would like to make a deal, and I think that's very smart of them, and I think that's a possibility to happen," he said.
Ever since quitting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018, Trump has used sanctions and political pressure to force Iran into the negotiating table for a new agreement, but to no avail.
The American president, who is on a visit to address trade differences with Tokyo, tried to use Shinzo's good relations with Iran to find a way out of his self-made crisis.
He suggested earlier in the day that the Japanese premier could act as a mediator.
"I know that the prime minister and Japan have a very good relationship with Iran so we'll see what happens," Trump said.
Source: PressTV