US President Donald Trump on Sunday, posted a long-worded note on Truth Social, stating that he hopes ‘Iran will take US’ deal.’ He said that US representatives would be in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday (20 April) evening, for “Negotiations.”
“My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan — They will be there tomorrow evening, for Negotiations,” wrote Trump.
“They’ll come down fast, they’ll come down easy and, if they don’t take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years. IT’S TIME FOR THE IRAN KILLING MACHINE TO END!” he added.
Donald Trump’s post comes days after US and Iranian representatives met in Islamabad for the first round of talks – that ended with no breakthrough. That time, Washington proposed a 20-year suspension of all Iranian nuclear activity, while Iran suggested a halt of three to five years, Reuters reported – citing people familiar with the proposals.
‘Still far from final discussion…’ – What Iran said?
The Strait of Hormuz remained closed on Sunday in the stand-off between Iran and the United States. On Saturday, the Islamic Republic reversed course on reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, reimposing restrictions on the critical waterway after the US said the move would not end its blockade, reported AP.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament, said in a televised address on Saturday night that there had been “progress” with Washington “but there are many gaps and some fundamental points remain”.
“We are still far from the final discussion,” said Ghalibaf, one of Tehran’s negotiators in the talks aimed at ending the conflict, reported AFP.
Indian-flagged vessels attacked near Hormuz
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the incident in a statement released on Saturday.
While no casualties were reported and the vessels were not damaged either, the two ships had to turn back after the incident, which occurred in the northeast of Oman.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement noted that following the incident, New Delhi summoned the Iranian ambassador and “conveyed India’s deep concern at the shooting incident earlier today involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz.”
