US President Donald Trump has said that he expects a deal with Iran to be finalised soon, while Tehran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called the remarks a bluff and a show on loop.
Trump said the war in Iran is expected to end soon — a claim he has repeated several times in the past — and then launched surprise attacks on the country.
The US, Iran, and Oman are approaching a temporary deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the latest official statements from the White House, “Trump will not accept joint control of Oman and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz", which has become a major sticking point between the two sides.
Despite the upcoming mid-term elections, which are absolutely important for Trump to remain in power, he, as many US experts believe, is seeking a temporary escape to win the election.
He is using the ongoing peace talks as leverage for the upcoming midterm elections, with what they believe is a symbolic victory for him.
While he may try to project it as a victory, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the “perimeters of a deal” had already been agreed to with Tehran.
Dismissing the narrative, Ghalibaf said that Washington keeps switching from military threats to offers of negotiation as a failed pressure tactic.
“Using bullying + broken promises + fake news as leverage is a failed strategy.” He called on the US to “acknowledge the facts” and fulfil its commitments.
Earlier on Saturday, Trump said he was planning a large-scale military offensive against Iran and that troops were ready for action.
Though nothing of such scale took place, the US continued striking several facilities linked to the Iranian government and its public infrastructure.
Trump claimed the agreement would bring the "IMMEDIATE, COMPLETE, AND TOTAL OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT” and end “Iran’s nuclear threat”.
The crucial waterway for global shipping and energy trade was a free international route before Israel and the United States launched military strikes on Iran on February 28.
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