US Media: If Iran's Next Leader Is Pragmatic, Sanctions Could Be Lifted

BlockBeats News, March 2nd, according to The New York Times, President Trump stated in an interview that, if necessary, the US military plans to sustain attacks on Iran for "four to five weeks," asserting that Israel and the US would have "no difficulty" in maintaining the intensity of the conflict. At the same time, he also warned that there could be more casualties among US troops.

When asked about a power transition plan, Mr. Trump expressed his hope that Iran's elite forces (including senior officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who wield significant influence in the current regime and benefit from it) would hand over their weapons to the Iranian people. In a roughly six-minute conversation, Trump also stated that he has three "very good" candidates who could lead Iran, but he refused to disclose specific names.

He repeatedly referred to his experience in Venezuela, which may suggest that he believes methods that have worked in Venezuela could also apply to Iran. He also mentioned that if the new leadership in Iran shows a pragmatic and cooperative attitude, he would be willing to lift sanctions on Iran. However, he also declined to specify how his administration would defend, or if it would at all, the Iranian people he said should overthrow the current government. (FXStreet)