Washington , 17 May (H.S.): US President Donald Trump has attracted attention by praising the affordability and efficiency of Iranian drones while criticizing the high costs of American defense manufacturers. In a recent press briefing, Trump drew stark comparisons between the production costs of Iranian drones, which range from $35,000 to $40,000, and the proposed prices from US companies, quoted at $41 million for similar models. He emphasized this disparity by stating, “I asked one of the companies I want a lot of drones... and in the case of Iran, they make a good drone. And it makes them for 35-40 thousand dollars.” Trump recounted an experience where he requested a drone model from a company, only to receive a bid of $41 million, prompting him to express disappointment, “I said that’s not what I’m talking about.” This commentary underscores Trump's focus on cost-effectiveness in military procurement and raises questions about the competitive positioning of American defense products compared to their Iranian counterparts.
Trump described drones as “very good too and fast and deadly,” yet lamented their devastating impact, particularly in the context of Russia's war in Ukraine, stating, “A drone comes down and circles you with fire. You don’t have a chance.” His comments highlighted modern warfare's brutal realities and unexpectedly acknowledged Iranian technological capabilities despite US-Iran tensions.
In a separate interview, he expressed openness to trade talks with Iran, contingent on their renunciation of nuclear weapons, stating, “Iran wants to trade with us… and I’m OK with that.” Trump emphasized using trade for diplomacy, aiming to establish peace. He also signaled optimism regarding a potential nuclear deal with Iran, suggesting one might be achievable to avert military conflict. During his Gulf tour, in remark to reporters in Qatar, Trump affirmed, “We're not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran,” indicating progress could be possible without escalation. These statements led to a notable decrease in global oil prices, with both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate falling over 3 percent, reflecting market reactions to the potential for diplomatic developments in the region.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
