"Negotiations Going Well," Trump Says, but Mentions 'Kharg Island Occupation' in Interview [U.S.-Iran War]

"Iran Accepts Most of the 15 U.S. Demands"

"Kharg Island Could Be Taken Easily"

Claims of Regime Change in Iran... "Mojtaba Has Disappeared"

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 29th (local time) that both direct and indirect negotiations with Iran are proceeding well, adding that Iran has accepted most of the 15 demands made by the United States. However, he continued to put pressure on Iran by mentioning his desire to "take Iran's oil" and referencing the possible occupation of Kharg Island, a key hub for Iranian crude oil exports.

According to reports from the Associated Press and CNN, President Trump made these remarks aboard his private plane while returning from Florida to Washington, D.C., saying, "Negotiations are going very well."

U.S. President Donald Trump is speaking aboard his private plane on the 29th (local time). Photo by Getty Images Yonhap News

When asked whether Iran had responded to the 15 demands from the United States, he replied, "They have agreed to most of the items. Why wouldn't they?" CNN, citing sources, reported that the 15 demands include restrictions on Iran's defense capabilities, the cessation of support for proxy groups, and recognition of Israel's existence.

President Trump reinforced his position by stating that, to prove Iran is taking the negotiations seriously, he allowed 20 large oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz starting in the morning of the 30th. Previously, President Trump claimed that Iran had permitted 10 oil tankers flying the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a 'gift' to the White House.

President Trump said, "We are having very good talks, both directly and indirectly, and I think we are achieving results on several important issues." However, he added, "No one knows what will happen with Iran. Even during negotiations, we could end up having to attack them," leaving open the possibility of escalation.

Earlier that day, in an interview with the Financial Times (FT), President Trump took an even more hardline stance. In the interview, he said, "My wish is to take their oil," comparing this idea to having seized oil interests after ousting President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.

President Trump remarked, "We could occupy Kharg Island, or we might not. There are many options," adding, "If that happens, it would mean we have to station troops there for some time." Regarding the island's defenses, he said, "I don't think they have any defenses," and suggested, "It would be very easy to take control."

According to a report by The New York Times (NYT) on the same day, the total number of U.S. troops in the Middle East, including both previously stationed and newly deployed forces, is expected to exceed 50,000. However, an attack on Kharg Island would not only increase U.S. casualties, but also raise the risk of higher war costs and a prolonged conflict. The mention of occupying Kharg Island is interpreted as a strategy to maintain pressure on Iran while also appearing conciliatory, in order to gain an advantageous position in negotiations.

In the interview, President Trump also stated that negotiations between the United States and Iran, facilitated by Pakistan, are progressing smoothly, and that Iran had allowed 20 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, Iranian Majlis (Parliament) Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf approved this action.

Meanwhile, President Trump claimed aboard his private plane that a regime change had occurred in Iran during the ongoing war. He said, "As you can see, there has been a regime change. The previous regime collapsed completely, and they are all dead," adding, "The next regime has almost fallen, and the third regime is made up of people who are completely different from before. It's a completely different group." He continued, "So, I consider this a regime change, and frankly, they are very reasonable."

In the same interview, he asserted that a regime change had "already taken place" as a result of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that killed former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and many senior officials. Regarding Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, he said, "He is either dead or in very serious condition. We have heard nothing about him. He has disappeared," he added.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.