Donald Trump Threatens To Bomb Iran If It Rejects MOU At G-7 In Evian, France

U.S. President Donald Trump said at a press conference on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit in Evian, France that he was concerned the war could spark an “economic catastrophe” and threatened to “bomb the hell” out of Iran if it does not abide by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the US.

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Al-Monitor

Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain toll-free for 60 days under the MOU, while its future would be negotiated, and he said the Islamic Republic of Iran would conduct dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz.

Al-Monitor

In the same remarks, Trump said the MOU is “a memorandum of understanding” and warned that if he does not like it, “we'll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head, OK?”

Trump also framed the deal as ensuring Iran would not be able to purchase a nuclear weapon, saying “Whoever sells them a nuclear weapon would get nuked themselves,” while other reporting in the package described the MOU as moving into a second stage that would be “actually easier.”

At the G7 meeting in France, Trump told reporters that the United States, in a parallel effort toward a deal with Iran, will discuss Iran's ballistic missiles and terrorist proxies with Gulf nations.

Trump said Syria's leader would like to target Hezbollah, the Iranian proxy group, with “precision” inside Lebanon, and he also said Lebanon's leader is expected to visit Washington in the coming weeks.

Anadolu Ajansi

In Paris, Trump said it would be unfair for Iran not to have ballistic missiles if other countries have them, telling reporters “I'm saying that if other countries have them, it's a little bit unfair for them not to have some.”

Anadolu Ajansı reported Trump said he saw no problem with Iran owning ballistic missiles within a regional balance, adding that “Ballistic missiles are not the same as nuclear weapons” and that Saudi Arabia and Qatar also possess these missiles.

Trump told reporters that sanctions on Iran would be removed once “they behave,” and he said frozen funds could be returned, arguing “We have taken their money, it's not our money, it's their money, and we froze it.”

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Haaretz

The Jerusalem Post reported Trump said the MoU could be signed by Friday and later, upon arriving in Paris from the G7 meeting, said “Over the next, I'd say, 48 hours” when asked about the expected timeframe of the signature.

The Jerusalem Post also said Trump denied reports of a $300 billion fund, stating “We're not putting up 10 cents,” and it added that a Reuters source described the fund as a private investment vehicle designed to give both sides an economic incentive to conclude a final deal to end the war.

Anadolu Ajansı reported that the agreement is set to be signed in the Swiss city of Geneva next Friday, June 19, and that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened after the signing, while it also noted the memorandum of understanding to end the war was reached on Sunday with the United States and Iran and Pakistan mediating.