The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Reuters reported that U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Americans’ financial struggles are not a factor in his decision-making as he seeks to negotiate an end to the conflict with Iran, stressing that preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains his top priority.
Speaking before departing the White House for a trip to
China, Trump said Americans’ economic situation does not influence his
approach. “Not even a little bit,” he said when asked whether financial
concerns were motivating him to reach a deal.
“The only thing that matters, when I’m talking about Iran,
they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, adding that his focus remains
solely on preventing Iran from obtaining such capability.
The remarks are expected to draw criticism from opponents
who argue that the administration should balance geopolitical objectives with
domestic economic challenges, particularly as cost-of-living concerns remain a
key issue for voters ahead of the November midterm elections.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the
president’s primary responsibility is ensuring the safety and security of
Americans, emphasizing that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear
weapons.
Trump is also facing pressure from some Republicans
concerned that economic strain linked to the conflict could trigger political
backlash and affect the party’s position in Congress. Rising energy costs
associated with tensions involving Iran have contributed to higher gasoline
prices and inflation.
According to data released Tuesday, U.S. consumer inflation
in April recorded its largest increase in three years.
Trump framed his approach as a matter of national and global
security, suggesting economic considerations are secondary to preventing
nuclear proliferation.
However, U.S. intelligence assessments indicate that the
timeline for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon has remained unchanged since last
summer, with estimates suggesting it would take between nine months and one
year.
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and says its nuclear
program is intended for peaceful purposes, although Western countries remain
skeptical and suspect it aims to develop weapons capability.
