Trump calls for Iran’s economic isolation, says deal could follow US midterms

New York, United States. US President Donald Trump called on nations to impose complete economic isolation on Iran, while saying he believed an agreement could be reached after the US midterm elections in November.

UN address

Speaking at the United Nations, Trump gave no indication that he was ready to resume negotiations or compromise with Tehran.

“I call on all nations to help to enforce the complete economic isolation of Iran,” he said.

“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to. They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election.”

Iranian proposal

Iran had earlier indicated that negotiations aimed at ending the nearly seven-month conflict could be revived, with the presidents of both countries attending the UN General Assembly in New York.

A senior Iranian official said Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz to Gulf shipping within seven days if the United States eased military pressure and lifted its blockade on Iranian ports. The official said Tehran had sent its latest proposal to Washington through mediators last week.

“The UN General Assembly is a golden opportunity for the US to return to diplomacy,” the official told Reuters, adding that Washington should officially state its intention to resolve the issue diplomatically and agree on a timeline.

US position

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC’s “Today” show that the United States was open to talks with Iran, particularly if they could produce a positive outcome and achieve the stated objective.

No face-to-face meetings between Iranian and US officials are known to have taken place since July, when an interim agreement to end the war collapsed weeks after it was signed.