With sanctions set to return, Trump says US open to new deal with Iran

Our objective is to force the regime into a clear choice, said Trump in a statement released by the White House

President Donald Trump said the US remains open to reaching a comprehensive deal with Iran that blocks its nuclear-weapons programme, just days before sanctions on the country’s energy and shipping sectors kick back in.

“Our objective is to force the regime into a clear choice,” Trump said in a statement released by the White House on Friday evening, referencing the resumption of sanctions on Monday. “Either abandon its destructive behaviour or continue down the path toward economic disaster.”

He added that the penalties were aimed at the Tehran government, “not at the long-suffering Iranian people.”

“For this reason,” Trump said,