U.S. President Donald Trump renewed threats to destroy Iranian energy infrastructure if no deal is reached soon, while saying talks with Tehran were progressing, even as Iran again denied any negotiations with Washington.
On Truth Social, Trump said Washington “is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran” and that “Great progress has been made”.
But he warned that if a deal is not reached shortly and the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, “we will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)”.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry again said it was not in talks with the United States, calling Trump’s peace plan “excessive and irrational”. Tehran also said U.S. proposals were “unrealistic” and “unreasonable”.
Trump has repeatedly shifted his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On March 21, he said he would “hit and obliterate” Iranian power plants within 48 hours. On March 23, he said the two sides had had “very good and productive conversations” and postponed strikes for five days. On March 26, he extended the pause to 10 days, pushing the deadline to April 6.
He also told reporters on Sunday that he was considering a military operation to take control of Kharg Island. Trump later said his “preference would be to take the oil”.
Iran warned it was ready and “waiting” for a ground invasion, as thousands more U.S. troops arrived in the region. According to the New York Times, several hundred special forces troops reached the Middle East on Sunday, after the earlier deployment of a Marine expeditionary unit and soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division. The Washington Post reported on Saturday that the United States was planning possible ground operations that could last several weeks, though no decision had been made.
Amid the escalating tensions, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard confirmed the death of naval commander Alireza Tangsiri.
Trump has said talks were “going well” and that the United States was negotiating “directly and indirectly” with Iran. Pakistan said both Washington and Tehran had confidence in Islamabad to help facilitate peace talks.
Oil traded at about USD 115 a barrel on Monday morning, nearly 60% above the level at the start of the war a month ago.
(jh)
Source: PAP, DW, NBC News