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'There Are No Limits': Trump Makes Alarming Statement In First Interview Since Iran Deal

In his first interview since signing the "memorandum of understanding" with Iran, President Donald Trump made some striking statements about the limits of his power.

Speaking with Axios' Marc Caputo in an excerpt from the pre-taped interview, Trump was asked what he learned about the constraints of his power as a result of the war in Iran. 

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"There are no limits," Trump said. 

"No limits?" Caputo asked. 

"No, none, I haven't learned that lesson yet. I know there are, but you know. There are no limits. We defeated them, totally, militarily," Trump said. 

Trump then went on to brag about the naval blockade he imposed on Iran in response to the country closing the Strait of Hormuz, before attempting to paint the MOU in a positive light despite the many concessions made by the U.S. 

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"Beginning of the conflict, you had talked about, you only wanted unconditional surrender," Caputo said. "And the MOU doesn't look like unconditional surrender." 

"Well, but really, probably is unconditional surrender," Trump said. 

"It is?" Caputo responded.

"I think so," Trump said. 

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Despite Trump's claims, the MOU appears to contain several provisions advantageous to Iran, including $300 billion in funds for the "rehabilitation and economic development" of the country and the removal of U.S.-imposed sanctions once a final deal is reached. 

While the MOU opens the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic free of charge for the next 60 days, it states that Iran and neighboring Oman will "define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz." 

That provision leaves open the possibility that tolls or fees could be charged to ships passing through the Strait after the 60 days.  

The country's nuclear program ― the issue at the core of the conflict, and Trump's stated reason for attacking in the first place ― is ill-addressed in the MOU and seems to kick the can down the road to future negotiations.

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While the MOU reaffirms that Iran will not "procure or develop nuclear weapons," the issue of further enrichment and Iran's stockpile of nuclear material will only be addressed in the final agreement, to be negotiated in that 60-day timeframe. 

Watch the excerpt from Trump's interview with Axios here:  

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