Speaker dismisses Trump remarks as ‘delusional’

US President Donald Trump told Persian Gulf leaders in Riyadh that Iran must end its regional campaigns and nuclear ambitions if it wants a deal with Washington.

Trump said he wants to make a deal with Iran. “But for that to happen it must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars and permanently and verifiably cease its pursuit of nuclear weapons,” he said.

He accused President Joe Biden of “empowering Iran and its proxies” while “turning his back” on Persian Gulf allies. “Those days are over,” Trump said. “Everyone at this table knows where my loyalties are.”

Trump promised to “confront the aggression that threatens us all” and said the region held “incredible opportunities… if we can simply stop the aggression from a small group of very bad actors.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s speech in Riyadh, accusing Washington of stoking instability.

“Trump tries to portray Iran as the source of insecurity. But who killed 60,000 people in Gaza? Are we the ones spreading chaos?” Speaking on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting television, Araghchi told reporters.

Trump, addressing Saudi officials in Riyadh, said Iran was the “biggest and most destructive” force in the region. “There could be no sharper contrast with the path you have pursued on the Arabian Peninsula than the disaster unfolding right across in the Gulf in Iran,” he said.

He vowed to inflict massive maximum pressure if Tehran rejected renewed nuclear talks. “(The US will) will take all action required to stop the regime from ever having a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.

Araghchi dismissed the approach as failed coercion. “The policy of maximum pressure has already failed,” he said, adding that Tehran awaits Oman’s coordination to resume talks and remains committed to negotiation.

“It is America that, through its sanctions over the past forty-some years, along with its pressures and its military and non-military threats, has hindered the progress of the Iranian nation; the one responsible for the economic problems is America,” he added.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei rejected that there is a deadlock in talks with the US, saying fluctuations are normal in negotiations between parties.

“The fact that both Iran and the US want the talks to continue means the negotiation process is still ongoing,” Baghaei said on Wednesday.

He added that Oman is coordinating with both sides to set the time and place for a fifth round.

Donald Trump’s visit to regional states will directly affect Tehran’s negotiations with Washington, said Abolfazl Zohrevand, a member of Iran’s parliamentary national security committee.

“If Trump manages to damage Iran’s ties with the Persian Gulf, it will benefit him,” Zohrevand added.

“Otherwise, he will be forced to moderate his expectations in dealing with the Islamic Republic’s negotiating team.”

The US must act forcefully to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions, said US Senator James Lankford, calling for the complete dismantling of Tehran's program.

“Iran should not have a nuclear arsenal, and total dismantlement is needed,” Lankford posted on X. He described Iran as “the largest sponsor of terrorism in the world” and said maximum pressure benefits both the US and global security.