Trump Issues Another Stern Warning to Iran, Eases Tone on Putin

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump issued another stern warning to Iran on Sunday, stating that if the Tehran regime refuses to reach an agreement on its nuclear program, there will be consequences.

Trump also addressed his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, softening his tone on potential oil sanctions against Russia after earlier criticizing Putin’s remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Speaking to the press aboard Air Force One while returning from Florida to Washington, Trump said he would wait to see if Iran makes any progress before imposing potential secondary tariffs.

“We’ll probably give it a couple of weeks. And if we don’t see any progress, we’re going to put them on. We’re not putting them on right now,” Trump said in response to a question from The Epoch Times.

“I hope they have a great, long, and successful life as a country,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “I can’t imagine them doing anything else but making a deal. I would prefer a deal to the other alternative, which I think everybody in this plane knows what that is. And that’s not going to be pretty and I do not prefer that.”

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When asked if his relationship with Putin was at its lowest point, Trump responded, “No, I don’t think so.”

“I don’t think he’s going to go back on his word,” Trump said. “I’ve known him for a long time. We’ve always gotten along well.”

Trump then explained why he was disappointed by the recent remarks made by Putin, where the Russian president questioned Zelensky’s credibility.

Trump said, “He is supposed to be making a deal with him whether you like him or you don’t like him.”

“So, I wasn’t happy with that but I think he’s going to be good,” Trump added. “I certainly wouldn’t want to put secondary tariffs on Russia. But if they were put on, it would not be very good.”

When asked by The Epoch Times whether Chinese companies would face sanctions for purchasing Russian oil, Trump suggested that sanctions would discourage other nations from buying Russian oil.

He pointed to the example of Venezuela, saying, “China pulled out their bunkers and left.

“They had two ships there and they left. They left empty. They did not want to take a chance. No, we’re not playing games,” Trump said.

Earlier in the day, Trump said he would levy secondary tariffs on all Russian oil, which could start within a month, if he thinks that the nation is hindering his efforts to end the war with Ukraine or tries to prevent a cease-fire.

During his remarks aboard Air Force One, Trump also criticized Zelenskyy for attempting to back out of a minerals deal with the United States.

“We made a deal on rare earths, and now he’s saying, ‘Well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal,’” Trump said.

“He wants to be a member of NATO. He was never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that. So, if he’s looking to renegotiate the deal, he’s got big problems.”

Jacob Burg contributed to this report.