Trump says Iran wants a deal and "it could absolutely happen"

US President Donald Trump said Monday night that Iran wants an agreement with Washington and that one "could absolutely happen." He also repeated that the United States will never let Tehran obtain a nuclear weapon.

Trump spoke in Washington at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, by the Reflecting Pool. It was the closing rally of his campaign for the midterm elections, which take place on Tuesday. Walla reported his remarks.

He gave no outline of a possible deal and no timetable. He did not say who is negotiating or where.

Claims about Iran's military and economy

Trump said Iran is looking for an agreement because its military has been badly damaged and its economy has worsened. His account of the damage was sweeping. "Their navy has been destroyed. Their air force has been destroyed," he said, in remarks translated from Hebrew-language reports. He said Iranian aircraft lay "in small pieces" on runways across the country.

He also said Iran's air defenses were hit, its missile capability was "significantly" reduced, and its ability to produce missiles was cut sharply.

On the economy, he said Iran has little money. In his words, nearly the only thing it has is inflation above 300%, which he called the highest in any country in 15 years. These figures are Trump's own claims, and the reports did not include independent confirmation.

Oil prices

Trump tied the oil market to the fighting. He said oil fell by $10 on Monday, the largest one-day drop in history. He said it would fall much further "because we are winning against Iran, and winning easily." He did not say which benchmark or price he meant, and the claim of a record drop is his own.

The war with Iran and its effect on energy prices form the backdrop to the vote. Fuel costs are a central issue for American voters.

Nuclear red line

Trump said Washington's position on the nuclear question has not changed. "We will never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, and they understand that," he said.

He added that Iranians had recently said themselves, "We will not have a nuclear weapon." He did not say who in Iran made the statement, or when and where. Iran's leadership has long said its nuclear program is for civilian purposes, a claim Israel and Western governments have rejected.

For Israel, the key issue in any US-Iran deal is its terms. A deal that leaves enrichment capacity, missile production or Iran's regional proxy network intact would be a very different outcome from one that dismantles them. Trump's remarks gave no sign of which kind he has in mind. The speech was campaign rhetoric, delivered a day before voters go to the polls, and not an announcement of any diplomatic step.

Iran's government had not responded to the remarks in the reports available Monday night.