US President Donald Trump has asked his negotiating team to hold off talks with Iran until Tehran is ready to make a deal, adding that there was no conflict within the administration’s position on diplomatic engagement with Tehran. The development comes amid conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran over the status of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Yesterday, Trump had contradicted Iran’s position on the strategic waterway, stating that the naval blockade remained in full force and effect while the Strait of Hormuz is open and operating. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said there are no talks or discussions currently taking place with Tehran, adding that the Strait of Hormuz is operational and that naval mines have been removed or detonated.
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said Tehran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States fulfils commitments under a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), including lifting the blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets and easing oil sanctions.
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