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US Rejects Iranian Nuclear Proposal, Imposes Port Blockade
President Donald Trump stated the US will continue its naval blockade of Iran until a nuclear deal is reached, rejecting Tehran's offer to end its Hormuz blockade in exchange. Oil prices surged amid escalating rhetoric, with Brent crude exceeding $119 per barrel.
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President Donald Trump stated to Axios on Wednesday that the United States will continue its naval blockade of Iran until a nuclear deal is reached with Tehran. Trump told Axios he does not want to end the blockade on Iranian ports, describing it as somewhat more effective than bombing and saying Iran is choking like a stuffed pig.
He added that the situation is going to be worse for Iran and that they cannot have a nuclear weapon.
Trump's comments indicate he turned down an Iranian proposal offered this week for a limited deal that would end its own blockade on Hormuz in exchange for the end of the siege on its ports. Iran has set lifting the siege as a precondition for returning to talks.
The US president reiterated that the US has severely degraded Iran's military capabilities, stating that Iran has very little left and has some missiles, a small percentage.
At least two commercial ships linked to Iran have been captured by the US as part of the siege. The US military stated on Monday that it has redirected 39 vessels in the regional waters over the past weeks. A Wall Street Journal report indicated President Trump is comfortable with an indefinite blockade of Iranian ports.
79 per litre) before the war. International benchmark Brent crude oil futures jumped to more than $119 per barrel on Wednesday. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated on Wednesday that the US is trying to activate economic pressure and internal division in Iran to weaken or even collapse it from within.
Ghalibaf added that Iranians will defeat this deceptive plan of the enemy and achieve a brilliant victory in the war. An unidentified senior security source told Iran's state-owned Press TV that the blockade will soon be met with practical and unprecedented action. President Trump wants Iran's nuclear programme fully dismantled.
Iran has ruled out ending support for regional allies like Hezbollah and Hamas. US and Iranian officials held one round of talks in Pakistan after the ceasefire was reached earlier this month. Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.
