Trump has stated that he is prepared to resume military strikes against Iran should the talks fail
US President Donald Trump has stated that he is prepared to resume large-scale military operations against Iran if negotiations between the parties do not result in an agreement.
In an interview with Axios, Trump noted that the talks are at an advanced stage, but there is little time left for a diplomatic settlement.
“We are conducting very in-depth negotiations with Iran. If they do not work out, we will return to very strong military action,” said the US President.
According to Trump, “either it will happen quickly, or it won’t happen at all”.
The current talks are focused on reaching a new agreement that would restore safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and resume negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran. The main participants in the negotiation process are Iran and Oman. Qatar, Pakistan and Egypt are also involved, whilst Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are representing the US.
Trump said he had decided to suspend US strikes following appeals from the mediating countries, as well as other states in the region.
“Everyone who deals with Iran asked me: ‘Don’t shoot’,” he said, adding that, in his view, Iran is seeking to reach an agreement.
Explaining his decision, the US President said: “Nothing has been gained, nothing has been lost.” He also noted that following the cessation of the attacks, oil prices had fallen and the stock market had risen.
According to regional sources, negotiations between Oman and Iran have made some progress, but a final agreement has not yet been reached.
Oman’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr al-Busaidi, held telephone talks with the foreign ministers of Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt. According to him, the parties discussed “ways to improve the prospects of reaching practical, fair and sustainable agreements on maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz”.
Among the possible solutions under consideration is the introduction of ‘reasonable fees’ for Iran, Oman and other states in the region for services relating to the safety of navigation, environmental protection and other services. One example cited is the model used in the Strait of Malacca, where fees are charged for specific services rather than for the passage of vessels itself. The creation of a joint fund involving the International Maritime Organisation is also under discussion.
Donald Trump is expected to hold a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday.
“I’m going to talk to Bibi about the fact that if I weren’t president, Iran would already have nuclear weapons and Israel would have been destroyed,” Trump said.
