Iran has not paid ‘enough’ yet: Trump
US President Donald Trump will review Tehran’s new peace proposal. But he has expressed doubts that Iran has not paid enough. Iran’s semi-official news agencies Tasnim and Fars reported that Tehran has sent a new 14-point proposal to the US via Pakistan.
On Saturday (May 2), Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One that he would let them know later. He then added, “They will give me the right language now.” Shortly afterwards, Trump said in a social media post, “I don’t think it will be acceptable, because they have not paid enough for what they have done to humanity and the world for the last 47 years.”
Earlier this week, Trump rejected an Iranian proposal. However, a ceasefire has been in place since April 8 in the war between the US and Israel, which began in late February. A phase of peace talks held in Pakistan has failed. “Now tell the US court whether they will choose diplomacy or conflict,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told diplomats in Tehran. “Iran is ready for both.” Washington has repeatedly said that the war will not end without a deal to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump made that his main goal when he launched the attack during nuclear talks in February. However, Iran insists that its nuclear program is peaceful. Various media outlets, including Reuters, have reported that Tehran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before the nuclear issue is resolved. Iranian media reported that the new 14-point proposal includes the withdrawal of US troops from around Iran, the lifting of the US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, the return of seized Iranian assets, compensation, the lifting of sanctions and an end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. New measures to control the strait have also been discussed. Speaking to reporters in Florida yesterday, Trump hinted at new military action against Iran. “If they do something bad, it could be (military action) … It’s certainly a possibility,” he said.
Meanwhile, the United States has warned that shipping companies that pay Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz could face sanctions, escalating ongoing tensions over control of the strait. Iran has maintained tight control over the strait since the war began, disrupting the supply of oil, gas and fertilizer to the global economy. In response, the United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, cutting off Tehran’s vital oil revenue.
Oil prices are now about 50 percent higher than before the war. On Friday, the United States warned that paying Iran not only in cash but also in digital assets, alternative transactions, informal exchanges or any other means, including charitable donations or money paid to Iranian embassies, would be punishable.
Source: The Guardian
