Iran and the US are engaged in a high-stakes game of diplomacy, with American President Donald Trump making claims about a potential deal and nuclear concessions. However, these claims are yet to be verified, and many questions remain unanswered.
According to Al Jazeera, Trump has stated that Iran has agreed to keep the Strait of Hormuz fully open, while Iranian officials have confirmed that they have allowed trade ships to pass through the strait temporarily during the ceasefire period. However, the Iranian government has denied making a permanent commitment to keep the strait open.
Experts quoted by Arab media believe that Iran considers the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic asset and thus, its permanent commitment to keeping the strait open is unexpected. Trump has also claimed that Iran will hand over its “nuclear material” to the US, and that its nuclear program will be terminated. However, Iranian officials have rejected this claim, stating that enriched uranium is a part of the country’s sovereignty and will not be transferred to anyone.
Al Jazeera reported that the nuclear issue is still in the initial stages of negotiations. Trump has also stated that Israel has been prevented from launching attacks on Lebanon, but this claim has raised eyebrows as the US does not usually impose such restrictions on Israel.
Iran has warned that if the US continues to blockade its ports, it may close the Strait of Hormuz again, which could disrupt global oil supplies. A senior Iranian official has stated that Iran’s navy is fully prepared to inflict a new and bitter defeat on its enemies.
Britain’s Middle East correspondent has reported that Iranian gunboats have fired at an Iraqi oil tanker, which was carrying 20 million barrels of oil. In a statement, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran’s navy is fully prepared to defend the country against enemies.
Iran has partially reopened its airspace and airports after receiving US proposals. In a statement, the head of Iran’s National Security Council said that it is time to establish a new maritime system for the Strait of Hormuz. A spokesperson for the Central Command of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains under strict Iranian control, with no changes to its previous status.
In a statement at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, the spokesperson said that Israel is not seeking security, but rather more land. Iran is expected to respond officially to US proposals after receiving them, according to the Supreme National Security Council.
High-ranking government sources have denied reports that the second round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad did not take place on Saturday.
