Washington,US President Donald Trump on Friday suggested he may lift the naval blockade preventing vessels from reaching Iranian ports, in a massive push to materialise a peace deal in the Middle East. He released a list of conditions that Iran must meet to move forward with a peace agreement.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iran needs to “permanently forego the development or possession of nuclear weapons.” He also called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, immediately and unconditionally. “Maritime traffic should pass through the Strait of Hormuz in both directions without any toll or restrictions,” he said.
Will US lift naval blockade?Trump also said that any naval blockades on the waterway would be lifted and described ongoing or recent efforts to clear underwater mines, some of which he said were removed by US naval operations. He also urged the Iranian authorities to quickly clear any remaining mines.
“Trump also mentioned ships stranded in the area, saying they should be allowed to move on and go home to their families.
“Iran must agree they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb. No tolls, free shipping traffic, both ways, must be kept open immediately, the Hormuz Strait. Any water mines (bombs) will be terminated (we have removed, through detonation, many such mines with our great underwater mine sweepers,” Trump tweeted.
“Iran will immediately remove and/or detonate any mines left behind, and they won’t be many! Our amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade of the Strait, which will now be lifted, may begin the process of “heading home!” Ships caught in the blockade! “Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents and families for me your favorite President!” he said.
US to monitor Iran nuclear material removalMuch of the statement focused on nuclear materials said to be buried deep under the ground in Iran. He talked about enriched nuclear materials. In his post, he called them “nuclear dust,” which he said was beneath heavily damaged mountain sites after past military action involving B-2 Spirit bombers.
The United States, along with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency, will oversee the removal and destruction of these materials without any financial compensation “until further notice,” he said.
Trump concluded his comments by saying he was going into the Situation Room to make the final decisions.
Iran says no final deal reachedIran, meanwhile, said talks with the United States were continuing and no final deal had been reached. The Iranian side also accused Trump of mischaracterizing the proposed deal.
Iranian officials say the current draft deal does not contain Trump’s claims that Tehran has agreed to free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and to dismantle all of its nuclear materials.
Iran says the United States must release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets before the talks can make any further progress. Tehran has also tied the talks to a full ceasefire in Lebanon on terms endorsed by Hezbollah.
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