US president dismisses Tehran’s offer to reopen strategic strait and lift naval blockade, while Iran warns it is prepared for war.
Published
Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and resume nuclear negotiations in exchange for lifting the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. “They made a proposal but I reject it,” Trump told reporters at the White House. The US president further indicated he expects renewed military strikes against Iran following the midterm elections.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump does not believe Iran is acting in good faith. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Waltz stated: “The President is just not confident that the Iranians are coming in good faith and that they will truly negotiate.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that Tehran is prepared for war to resume, even if it becomes “doomsday.” In an interview with Meet the Press, Araghchi said Iran is ready to “stand firm in the face of any aggression” amid reports that Trump wants to resume bombing after the midterm elections.
Tehran says it is waiting for an official rejection of the deal. Experts interviewed by Al Jazeera said Trump views economic sanctions as key to extracting more concessions but risks losing leverage by rejecting diplomatic overtures.
An air base at the center of a UK terror probe has been used by the US Air Force during the Iran war, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.
Sources: 1.