Trump threatens to strike Iran and awaits a near-term deal
A senior Iranian source involved in talks with the Sultanate of Oman said that Tehran wants to control the flow of ships entering the Strait of Hormuz, monitor departing vessels, and retain the ability to intervene when necessary, as part of a temporary plan being explored by the two countries to reopen the strategic waterway.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz are “going extremely well,” and that an agreement could be announced soon, but he threatened Iran with harsh strikes if it backs down from the understanding or refuses to reopen the waterway.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said negotiations had been ongoing, adding, “We’ve had very good discussions,” and that the Strait of Hormuz “will open very soon.” He added, “The strait will open very soon, otherwise they will face very harsh strikes, and then the strait will open.” He warned Tehran against backing down again, saying, “If they back down again, they will face very harsh strikes. They know it and they understand it, and I have no other choice.”
Trump said his preferred option is reaching a diplomatic agreement without resuming military operations. He added, “We hit them very hard, but the hardest strike has not yet come, and we hope we won’t have to use it.” He continued, “I hope it doesn’t happen; we’re having very good discussions, and they don’t like to admit it.”
Responding to a question from reporters accompanying him in California about a report by Axios on the possibility of announcing an agreement, Trump said, “It could happen tomorrow or the day after. Significant progress has been made.”
He later repeated, before heading to Las Vegas, that the talks are “progressing very well,” and said more details would emerge within 48 hours. He added, “You’ll know. We’ll know within 48 hours.”
Trump said Iran wants to reach an agreement and that Iranian officials had requested a halt to a U.S. strike that was being prepared. He added, “They called me and said, ‘Please don’t attack; we will make an agreement.’ That is the truth, and everyone knows it.”
