Trump urges Iran to make deal, offers sanctions relief for Syria during Riyadh speech

U.S. President Donald Trump on May 13 urged Iran to engage in talks with Washington over its nuclear programme, saying he does not believe in "permanent enemies" and offering Tehran a "new path" forward despite sharply criticising its regional policies.

“I’m here today not merely to condemn the past chaos of Iran’s leaders, but to offer them a new path,” Caliber.Az quotes Trump as saying in Riyadh, where he is on the first leg of a tour of the Middle East. 

“I don’t like permanent enemies,” he added.

The United States and Iran have already held four rounds of talks discussing Tehran's nuclear programme. These meetings are led by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the US President’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

The remarks came during a high-profile investment forum in the Saudi capital, where Trump also announced plans to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria imposed under the previous government, in what he described as an effort to offer the war-torn country “a chance at greatness” following years of civil conflict.

The president made the comments following a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. His trip will include stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and is aimed at deepening business ties with the oil-rich Gulf region.

By Aghakazim Guliyev