US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he expects talks with Iran to resume in the coming week. This development comes a day after he rejected a truce proposal put forward by Tehran. Trump made the remarks in an interview with Axios, stating that Iran wants to make a deal, but it is not the deal that he wants to make.
Iran had submitted a proposal to the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Trump rejected it. He asserted that Iranian leaders wanted the deal because "they are losing so badly." Trump also said that Iran "overplayed their hand." The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial maritime route through which one-fifth of the world's oil and gas flowed before the war.
According to Axios, indirect talks between Washington and Tehran could take place as early as Monday. The talks would follow indirect discussions between US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that were held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The fresh negotiations would be conducted through Qatari mediators.
In the interview, Trump said that the largest volume of oil since the war began had transited the strait over the weekend, at more than 20 million barrels. The war between the US and Iran started in late February, sparked by US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since then, Iran has asserted control over the strait, while Washington has responded by imposing a blockade on Iranian ports.
When asked whether he was considering resuming strikes against Iran, Trump replied: "I am always thinking about it." According to The Wall Street Journal, the US president is considering resuming strikes on Iran after the November 3 midterm elections, as he grapples with growing public opposition to the war in the Middle East, which has sent fuel prices soaring.
The US has denounced Iran's truce proposal as "cynical." Washington's rejection of the proposal came after Iran's firm stance on its plan for the Strait of Hormuz. The US and its allies have been critical of Iran's actions in the region, while Iran has maintained that its actions are defensive in nature.
The situation in the Middle East remains volatile, with various countries and groups involved in the conflict. The resumption of talks between the US and Iran could potentially lead to a de-escalation of tensions in the region. However, with Trump's comments on possible further strikes, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming weeks.
Key points
- US President Donald Trump expects talks with Iran to resume in the coming week.
- Trump rejected Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling it "cynical."
- The US and Iran have been engaged in a conflict since late February, with the Strait of Hormuz at its center.
