United States President Donald Trump has warned that Iran is running out of time to reach an agreement with Washington, declaring that the country is facing its “last chance before decapitation” despite Tehran’s insistence that no direct negotiations with the US are taking place.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump maintained that discussions with Iran are ongoing and said he agreed to continue diplomatic efforts at the request of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other regional partners.
“We are talking right now. This is a last chance for them to sign a good document. I want to give them every last chance before decapitation,” Trump said.
His comments came shortly after Iran’s Foreign Ministry denied that negotiations were taking place with Washington.
However, Trump dismissed the denial and accused Tehran of being dishonest about the talks.
“Whether Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused, for decades,” he wrote on social media.
According to the US President, the discussions are centred on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring the denuclearisation of Iran, adding that while an agreement on the strategic waterway could happen quickly, resolving the nuclear issue may take longer.
The latest developments come more than five months after the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran escalated following surprise military strikes launched in February.
Despite months of intermittent diplomacy, Iran continues to maintain its missile and drone capabilities, while also retaining its enriched uranium stockpiles.
The crisis around the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the biggest obstacles to ending the conflict, with Iran maintaining restrictions on the vital shipping route after a previous ceasefire collapsed.
Meanwhile, Britain’s maritime security agency, UKMTO, confirmed that a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unknown projectile, with investigations ongoing into the incident.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, insisted that Tehran’s negotiations are only with Oman over managing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqaei said.
He added that both countries were close to reaching an agreement on a mutually acceptable shipping route but stressed that it would not amount to reopening the waterway.
Trump also reaffirmed that Iran’s nuclear programme remains a major concern for Washington.
“The denuclearization of Iran has to happen,” the US President said.
While Western countries continue to accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, Tehran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful civilian purposes.
The diplomatic standoff comes amid growing international concerns that continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global energy supplies and further escalate tensions in the Middle East.
Source: AFP.
