Trump sends Vance to Islamabad, but Tehran says no to a second round of negotiations: "The US demands are excessive."
The tycoon warns: "No blackmail or willingness to raze power plants and bridges." And on Israel: "A great ally, unlike others."(Ansa photo)
Per restare aggiornato entra nel nostro canale Whatsapp
The winds of peace in the Gulf are blowing very weakly and uncertainty reigns supreme.
The latest destabilizing move was made by Tehran, which after 24 hours closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, targeting several civilian vessels. The blockade will remain in place until the definitive cessation of hostilities, a condition imposed by the regime, which, while not yet closing the door to the US, has accused Trump of talking too much .
"You can't blackmail us," the tycoon replied, having convened a situation room with administration officials to prepare for the possibility of a short-term resumption of raids "without a breakthrough" in negotiations.
In public, however, the commander in chief remained calm, stating that the negotiations "are going very well" and that Iran is just "being a bit crafty."
Live broadcast on Sunday, April 19th
Trump, Iranian ship in US custody: "It tried to bypass the blockade."
The United States has intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman and taken full control of the vessel, Donald Trump stated on his social media account, Truth. The ship, the Touska, Trump reported, attempted to bypass the blockade. It was warned, but "refused to listen, so the Navy stopped it by striking its engine room. It is now in US custody."
Iran rejects second round of talks
Iran has rejected the possibility of a second round of peace talks with the United States, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA, cited by Sky News. Tehran's absence from the talks is due to "Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in position, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade," the agency reported.
Pasdaran sources: "Iran will not attend talks as long as the US blockade remains."
Iran has not yet decided whether to send a negotiating delegation to Islamabad for talks with Washington, and no talks will take place as long as the US naval blockade remains in place, the Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported, citing a knowledgeable source.
White House: "Vance will go to Pakistan"
J.D. Vance will travel to Pakistan for talks with Iran, a White House official says.
Iranian sources say negotiating team to travel to Pakistan on Tuesday
An Iranian delegation will arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday, Iranian sources close to the negotiations with the US said, according to CNN. Tehran's team is expected to be the same as the last round, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The sources add that the Iranians expect an extension of the ceasefire to be announced on Wednesday. If things go smoothly and Donald Trump agrees to travel to Islamabad, the Iranian president will also travel to Pakistan for a "meeting" and the signing of a "joint declaration."
Trump: "Tehran is committing serious violations, but peace will be made."
Iran has committed a "serious violation" of the ceasefire, but a peace deal will happen. Donald Trump said so on ABC. "It will happen. One way or another. By hook or by crook. It will happen," the US president observed. "We are offering," the president added on social media, "a very fair and reasonable deal; I hope they accept it. If they don't, we will destroy every single power plant and every single bridge in Iran."
Iran: "Trump has no right to deny us the benefits of nuclear power."
"The US president says Iran should not use its nuclear power, but he doesn't explain what crime that is. What is his standing in the world to deprive a nation of its legal rights?" This was stated by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. "According to humanitarian principles, everyone should enjoy their legitimate rights, and we demand that Iran be treated fairly in the international system," he added. "Trump has no right to deny the rights of a people and claim that Iran cannot benefit from its nuclear rights," he said, cited by Al Jazeera.
Iran: "Progress in talks with the US, but an agreement is still far off."
Peace talks between Iran and the United States have "made progress," but a final agreement is "still far away," said Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. "We are still far from concluding the discussions," Ghalibaf said in an interview with Tehran television. "We have made progress in the negotiations, but many differences remain, and some key points remain unresolved," the Iranian leader added.
Trump: "Israel is a great ally, unlike others."
"Whether you like it or not, Israel has proven to be a great ally. They are brave, bold, loyal, and intelligent, unlike others who have shown their true colors in a time of conflict and stress," US President Donald Trump stated on his social media platform, Truth, emphasizing that the Jewish state fights hard and knows "how to win."
Mattarella: "The attack on UNIFIL in Lebanon is unacceptable."
President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella sent a message of solidarity to French President Emmanuel Macron following the attack on UNIFIL in Lebanon: " I learned with deep dismay the sad news of the death of Sergeant Chief Florian Montorio, who fell this morning in southern Lebanon during an attack on the UNIFIL mission. On this tragic occasion, I wish to convey to you, Mr. President, the Italian Republic's and my own deepest condolences, along with my condemnation of this unacceptable act against a mission that is crucial to the stability of the area and a bulwark of international humanitarian law. We share France's grief with our deepest sympathy, and we wish a speedy and full recovery to his wounded comrades."
(Unioneonline)