International efforts to end the conflict in , are at a tipping point, with him declaring on Monday that the country is “on life support”. The president rejected Tehran’s latest proposal in disgust, calling it “rubbish” and warning of a return to all-out war, which could blow up global energy markets.
“I didn’t even read it all the way through”
President Trump said Monday that the ceasefire with Iran is on “life support” after the “garbage” response Iran sent the U.S.
“It’s unbelievably weak, I would say,” the president told reporters during an event in the Oval Office when asked if the ceasefire remains in place. “I…
— CBS News (@CBSNews)
Asked at the White House about the fate of the truce, Trump was stormy: “I would call it the weakest thing there is right now after reading this piece of garbage that they sent us.
I didn’t even finish reading,” he added. In fact, in order to relieve American consumers from the rally in fuel prices, Trump announced his intention to suspend the federal tax on gasoline.
REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon/File Photo
A little later, however, according to Al Jazeera, the American president reopened the window for negotiations, saying that there is still a possibility, under his administration, that a diplomatic solution can be found with Iran.
BREAKING: US President Donald Trump has told reporters that his administration can still reach a diplomatic solution with Iran, despite earlier saying the ceasefire is on “life support.”
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— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish)
The “bargain” for uranium and the blockade in the Straits
Despite Tehran offering to dilute some of its enriched uranium and transfer the rest to a third country (probably Russia), Trump is demanding the complete removal of all nuclear material.
At the same time, Iran requests:
- Recognition of his sovereignty in the Straits of Hormuz.
- Lifting of the naval blockade of its ports.
- US war reparations.
- Ending the war between Israel and Hezbollah.
The US and the international community reject Iranian control of the Straits, as this would violate international law on freedom of navigation.
Netanyahu: “The regime’s days are numbered”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also actively participates in the pressure game.
In an interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” he stressed that the war is “not over” and that if diplomacy fails to remove nuclear material from Iran, Israel and the United States are ready for further military involvement. “The days of the current Iranian government are numbered, but it may take many more days,” he said.
Pakistan’s mediation and China’s role
As the tension escalates, Pakistan is attempting to play a mediating role, promoting a memorandum of understanding for a cessation of hostilities.
REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo
Meanwhile, Trump is expected to visit China this week to press Xi Jinping to exert influence on Tehran, as Beijing remains the biggest buyer of Iranian oil.
Executions and internal repression in Iran
Inside Iran, the situation remains explosive. Tehran announced the execution of yet another man, Erfan Sakourzadeh, on charges of spying for the CIA and Mossad. It is another move in a series of executions fueled by internal unrest and the theocratic regime’s attempt to maintain control despite heavy casualties from US and Israeli strikes.
With information from the Associated Press
