Trump's statement on Iran: 'I would prefer a deal, I don't want to kill people'

US President Donald Trump stated that he prefers a diplomatic solution in his remarks regarding the tension with Iran. Trump said, “I would prefer a deal with Iran because I don't want to kill people.”

Evaluating current events, Trump claimed that they are in contact with the Tehran administration. The US President said, “Iran respects us. They show us respect. We are talking. We will see what happens.”

Trump also stated that they were preparing for a large-scale attack on Iran, saying, “We were fully prepared for the biggest attack since World War II, they called me and said, ‘Please don't do it, let's talk,’ and then they don't do it. They say, ‘We didn't say anything like that.’”

STATEMENT FROM TEHRAN ON THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ

On the Iranian side, it was stated that negotiations regarding passages in the Strait of Hormuz are being conducted with Oman. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that they are approaching the final stage in the negotiations with Oman, but that this does not mean the strait will be fully opened.

Gharibabadi said the route being worked on is temporary and could be implemented for 2 to 4 months or longer. The Iranian official stated that a new decision must be made regarding whether to move to the second phase after reaching an agreement with Oman.

Arguing that, contrary to the US administration's statements, no talks were held with Washington during the process, Gharibabadi said, “The agreement on passage through the Strait of Hormuz was reached between Iran and Oman as two coastal states; no talks were held with the US during this time.”

Gharibabadi also expressed that the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz would depend on the US stance. The Iranian official said they have received messages from the US indicating readiness to return to its commitments, but that a decision regarding the full opening of the strait has not yet been made.

In the first phase of the agreement reached between Iran and the US on June 14 with Pakistan's mediation, it was envisioned that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened in exchange for the release of frozen Iranian assets and that no fees would be charged for passages for 60 days. However, disagreements between the parties had led to a renewed rise in tension in the region.

News Source: 12punto