Major setback to peace talks after Trump fumes at Iran
Donald Trump has lashed out at Iran by accusing them of leaking terms of a deal that he claims he never agreed to.
Overnight, both the US president and leaders in Iran flagged a deal between the two countries was close.
Donald Trump has said he was close to a peace deal with Iran 40 times since March. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
It was the 40th time since March that Trump has claimed a deal was imminent.
But there appeared to be a major setback after Trump posted an angry post on Truth Social.
“The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing,” he wrote.
“What they said, including their weak and pathetic statement on having a deal, bears no relation to the truth.
“Very dishonourable people to deal with. With them, there is no such thing as dealing in good faith. AMAZING!”
He also attacked them over their attempted drone strikes in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Also, their totally rebuffed Drone attack last night against Indian Ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE,” Trump wrote.
“They better get their act together, and FAST!”
But two hours later he posted a screenshot of a tweet from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
“The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer. Pending its finalisation, the media should refrain from entering speculation about its content,” Araghchi said.
Demonstrators in Tehran showing their support for Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Getty Images
“In line with our responsible and transparent approach, all details will be shared with the public in due course.”
Another key negotiator, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, posted an apparent caution to the US this morning.
“Commitments made must be commitments kept. No ifs, no buts, no excuses. For the close deal ahead, there is no other way,” Ghalibaf said.
“You reap what you sow.”
Many vessels are lingering near the Strait of Hormuz waiting to pass through. AP Photo/Amirhosein Khorgooi
The latest round of negotiations are taking place as the central hub of American oil storage nears a troubling low.
The tanks at the immense oil facility in Cushing, Oklahoma have capacity to store 75 million barrels, but are now close to 20 million.
Below 20 million barrels, the oil becomes sludgy and close to impossible to use.
If the Strait of Hormuz is not opened very soon, the oil shortage could become a major crisis in the US.
According to details leaked to CNN by a US official, Iran would agree to never developing nuclear weapons under the terms of a deal.
Aragchi told Iranian media that they would not be charging ships a toll to go through the Strait of Hormuz, but rather a “service fee”.
It is not clear what the distinction is or what the price would be.
He said a statement with Oman, which is on the other side of the strait, could be expected soon.
However, both Araghchi and Ghalibaf represent one side of Iranian politics. It is not clear whether the Supreme Leader or the Revolutionary Guard are on board with such a deal.
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