President Trump claims that the United States is negotiating with Iran to end the war, which is now entering its fourth week. Iran denied the existence of such talks.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said that US objectives include Iran halting uranium enrichment for its nuclear program, as well as the US removing the enriched uranium that Iran already possesses.
“If that happens, it will be a great start for Iran to get back on its feet, and that’s all we want,” Trump told reporters on Monday. He stated that it would be an excellent deal for Israel, as well as for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
“There is no dialogue between Tehran and Washington,” declared the Iranian Foreign Ministry, according to the country’s state broadcaster. The ministry stated that Trump’s previous social media post, touting “productive talks” with Tehran, was aimed at calming energy markets and buying time to execute its military plans. Major stock indexes surged and oil prices fell on the news.
The president of the Iranian parliament also denied the existence of negotiations.
Check below what else you need to know about the latest developments in the conflict.
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Iran threatens to attack Gulf energy infrastructure
Iranian authorities warned on Monday that if the US attacks Iran’s power plants, the country will retaliate against energy and water infrastructure across the Gulf region — including in countries hosting US military bases.
In a separate statement, Iran’s Defense Council stated that “non-belligerent” countries could only transit the Strait of Hormuz with coordination from Iran, and warned that any attack on Iranian coasts or islands would trigger the placement of mines in Gulf maritime routes, which could effectively block maritime traffic beyond the narrow channel.
The commander of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, said on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz is “physically open,” but argued that ships are staying away because Iran has been firing missiles and drones at vessels. Cooper made these comments in an interview with *Iran International*, a Persian-language news outlet based in London.
Cooper stated that the US campaign in Iran is “ahead of or on schedule,” adding that Iran’s military capabilities are deteriorating. He also accused Iran of increasingly targeting civilians across the Middle East.
“They are acting out of desperation… in recent weeks, they have deliberately attacked civilian targets more than 300 times,” said Cooper.
Head of International Energy Agency warns that global economy faces “very serious threat”
Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency, warned on Monday that the global economy faces a “very serious threat” stemming from disruptions in oil and gas flows caused by the war.
“No country will be immune to the effects of this crisis if it continues in this direction,” said Birol, speaking at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra on Monday.
He added: “The situation is very serious.”
“At least 40 power facilities in nine countries have also been severely damaged during the conflict.”
Birol stated that the current situation is worse than the combined oil crises of 1973 and 1979, which together resulted in the loss of 10 million barrels per day.
“And today — just today — we have lost 11 million barrels per day; therefore, more than two major oil shocks combined,” he said.
Birol reported that the IEA is in consultation with governments in Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East about releasing more strategic oil reserves, in addition to the “historic” 400 million barrels released earlier this month.
Source: npr.org