WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations with Iran despite Tehran’s decision to again close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to senior journalists in the Oval Office, President Trump downplayed Iran’s move, describing it as a “somewhat cute action,” and insisted that talks between the two sides were “working out really well.”
“We are still talking to the Iranians,” Trump said, adding that more clarity on the situation would be available by the end of the day. He stressed that Iran would not be able to “blackmail” the United States by shutting the waterway.
During the interaction, Trump also referred to the killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, reiterating that Soleimani was responsible for the deaths and injuries of American troops.
According to U.S. media reports, Trump maintained that Washington does not require permission from any country to take action and is pursuing a firm stance in negotiations with Tehran. Despite rising tensions, he continued to signal confidence that positive developments in the talks are imminent.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials, including Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have stated that Iran will not hand over its uranium stockpile to the United States, underscoring the challenges facing the talks process.
