'Kinetic action, economic pressure brought Iran to table': Treasury Secretary Bessent

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asserted that President Donald Trump's administration successfully brought Iran to the negotiation table regarding its nuclear program through a combination of "kinetic actions and economic pressure." Bessent highlighted this achievement, stating it was something no other administration had accomplished.

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This administration, President Trump, has done something that no other administration was able to do. We have gotten the Iranians to talk about their nuclear programme and perhaps commit to not having one. That has never happened before. It had been off the table.

Speaking at a White House briefing, Bessent expressed optimism that the U.S. could secure Iran's commitment to abandoning its nuclear ambitions as ceasefire negotiations continue. "This administration, President Trump, has done something that no other administration was able to do. We have gotten the Iranians to talk about their nuclear programme and perhaps commit to not having one," he said.

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When you look at the results of the kinetic action of our economic pressure, it has worked to bring them to the table and have a discussion on this.

Bessent emphasized the effectiveness of the administration's strategy, noting, "When you look at the results of the kinetic action of our economic pressure, it has worked to bring them to the table and have a discussion on this." He stressed that any potential deal hinges on President Trump's firm stance against Iran's nuclear program, assuring that "President Trump is not going to make a bad deal for the American people."

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Everything depends on what the president wants to do, and President Trump is not going to make a bad deal for the American people.

According to reports, U.S. and Iranian negotiators have reached a tentative 60-day memorandum of understanding (MoU) designed to extend a fragile ceasefire and pave the way for formal talks on Iran's nuclear program. This agreement awaits final approval from President Trump and Iran. Bessent also touched upon the economic impact of disruptions in oil and gas supply due to Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting that oil prices could decrease significantly once the situation is resolved.

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It is a multifaceted agreement and nothing is going to be on the table until we see the Strait of Hormuz open and the Iranians agree that they have to turn over the highly enriched uranium, and that they can't have a nuclear program.