Senior cleric slams Trump arms deals, says US brings ‘bombs for killing’ to region

“They have a proposal. More importantly, they know they have to move quickly or something bad—something bad's going to happen,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the United Arab Emirates.

Axios reported Thursday that the written proposal was delivered during the fourth round of indirect talks between US and Iranian officials last Sunday in Muscat, Oman. It was the first formal offer made by the Trump administration since negotiations began in April, Axios cited US and diplomatic sources saying.

The document, handed over by White House envoy Steve Witkoff, outlines terms for a civilian nuclear program, with specific provisions for international monitoring and verification.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly took the proposal back to Tehran for review by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and other senior officials.

Witkoff described the proposal as “elegant” and “very big” in a recent briefing to the United Nations Security Council, according to Axios, but acknowledged that more work was needed. A fifth round of talks has not yet been scheduled.

Iran has responded positively in public statements. Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Khamenei told NBC News that Tehran is ready to stop enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels, reduce its stockpiles and accept inspections—if the United States lifts all sanctions.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking Thursday from Turkey, said the diplomatic window remains open but warned the decision ultimately rests with Iran’s leadership.

“In the end, the decision lies in the hands of one person, and that's the Supreme Leader in Iran, and I hope he chooses the path of peace and prosperity, not a destructive path,” Rubio told reporters.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran is interested in trading with the United States and suggested that a deal could leave Tehran “very happy,” according to excerpts from an interview with Fox News.

“Iran wants to trade with us, OK? If you can believe that, I’m OK with that,” Trump said in the interview, conducted before he departed Abu Dhabi at the end of a four-day trip to the Middle East.

“I’m using trade to settle scores and to make peace,” he added.

Trump, who has repeatedly expressed optimism about reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran, said, “I’ve told Iran, we make a deal — you’re going to be very happy.”

The Friday prayer Imam of Karaj said the United States is experiencing electricity shortages while criticizing Iran, despite Iran itself grappling with ongoing power issues.

“America is caught in blackouts — 24,000 customers across five states are without power — and yet they accuse Iran,” Mohammad Mehdi Hosseini Hamedani said during Friday prayers. “This is the kind of hypocrisy we face.”

He defended Iran’s nuclear program as a symbol of progress and sacrifice. “Nuclear enrichment is our right, and no site should be shut down. We achieved this through years of effort and the blood of our scientists,” he said.

Hamedani added that negotiations should not come at the expense of national defense and warned officials not to repeat past mistakes by trusting foreign powers.

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Iran is one of the most powerful countries in the region and its strength is not welcomed by the United States, the Friday prayer Imam of Rasht said, urging Iranians to take pride in standing firm against pressure from Washington.

“People should be proud that Trump, who claims to have conquered the world, is helpless before the greatness of our nation,” Rasoul Falahati said during Friday prayers.

He accused the US of using Iran’s peaceful nuclear program as a pretext to block its development. “Nuclear energy is a symbol of progress for our nation, and the US opposes it because they don’t want Iran to advance,” he said.

Falahati also criticized domestic voices who echo US policy and called on them to “return to the people and correct their thinking.”

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It is shameful that the president of the United States receives gifts in Islamic countries despite Washington’s support for Israel during the war in Gaza, the Friday prayer Imam of Isfahan said.

“It is regrettable that in the Islamic world, gifts are being given to the president of the United States — while Gaza suffers under full American support for Israel,” Ahmad Mahmoudi said during Friday prayers. “Relations with other countries should not come at the cost of our dignity and independence. We must know the line between friend and foe.”

Mahmoudi also warned Iranian officials against making concessions on the country’s nuclear program, calling it a key symbol of self-reliance. “We didn’t gain this technology for free, and we won’t give it away for free,” he said.

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