President Donald Trump is visiting the Middle East this week beginning with a stop in Saudi Arabia where he met with that country's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for talks on U.S. efforts to hold down oil prices, end the war in Gaza, and dismantle Iran's nuclear program.
Before leaving on his trip Trump reiterated his insistence that the rogue Iranian regime cannot have a nuclear weapon.
Even though the U.S. and Iran just concluded a fourth round of negotiations on Sunday in Oman, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei welcomed chants of "Death to America" in Tehran.
"Your judgment is right," Khamenei told a crowd of supporters who called for the destruction of the U.S.
During these talks Iranian leaders are “acting very intelligent,” Trump said.
He said he “thinks they understand” that they can’t have nuclear weapons.
The two sides are expected to meet again soon.
Retired Navy Commander Kirk Lippold commanded the USS Cole when it was hit by a terrorist attack in 2000.
“I do not trust the Iranians. Whatever agreement gets put into place, No. 1, it needs to be intrusive, and it needs to be verifiable. They need to open up any facility that the U.S. deems necessary in order to ensure they're in compliance. Their nuclear weapons program, and that's what it is, must be dismantled in total."
The U.S. needs to be ready to respond with force if Iran refuses to comply.
“At the end of the day, if Iran does not dismantle their nuclear weapons program, the military option must be on the table, and it must be credible and overwhelming."
