Trump said that a deal with Iran could happen at any moment. Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed that Iranian forces opened fire on two U.S. destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz last night, adding, “We responded to them in return.”
After last night’s clashes between U.S. and Iranian forces, during which both sides stated that they had not violated the ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the Iran issue again today while speaking to the press.
Trump stated that talks with Tehran were continuing despite U.S. airstrikes on two Iranian targets, and added:
(In response to a question about whether a deal with Iran was close) “This could happen at any moment. Maybe it won’t, but it could happen at any moment. I believe they want this deal more than I do.
They’d better sign the agreement quickly. If they don’t, they’re going to suffer greatly.”
“They Fired at Us, We Responded”
Trump said that Iran had launched an attack on two U.S. destroyers passing through the Strait of Hormuz last night, though the ships were not damaged. He stated, “They were firing at us, and we responded to them.” The U.S. President continued:
“We will not allow them to have nuclear weapons — there is zero chance of that. They know it, and they accepted it. Now we’ll see whether they are willing to sign.”
Why Was the “Freedom Project” Suspended?
Trump also explained why the “Freedom Project,” aimed at ensuring the passage of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, was launched on Monday and then halted 36 hours later.
Referring to Pakistan’s request that “such an operation would not be beneficial while negotiations are ongoing,” Trump said:
“The Marshal (Asim Munir) and the Prime Minister (Shehbaz Sharif) asked us not to do it. If necessary, we can return to it. But during the negotiations, they asked us not to proceed with it.”
Iranian Military Spokesperson Says “Ceasefire Violated”
Yesterday, Brigadier General Ibrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, stated that the U.S. had violated the ceasefire by attacking certain areas in Iran and two vessels.
Zolfaqari said, “The aggressive American military violated the ceasefire by attacking an Iranian tanker sailing from Iran’s coastal waters near Jask toward the Strait of Hormuz, as well as another vessel entering the Strait of Hormuz,” adding that the Iranian military responded immediately.