Washington DC [US], July 28: US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had halted the latest attacks on Iran for now to give the ongoing negotiations another chance. "We are in very deep talks with Iran," Trump told the website Axios.
At the same time, he threatened further attacks should the talks prove fruitless: "If they don't work out, we will go back to very strong military action." He told Axios that he was not allowing the negotiations "much time" to succeed.
The talks centre on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme. Trump said he had decided to pause the attacks on Friday on the advice of the mediating countries. Speaking during a question-and-answer session on board the presidential aircraft, Trump said that Iran had requested a meeting, and Tehran's willingness to talk was a sign that US strength was proving successful. The television channel CNN reported that Vice President JD Vance and Chief of the General Staff Dan Caine had expressed concern about an escalation of the Iran conflict. Caine had pointed to dwindling US ammunition reserves, it was reported, citing informed sources. According to the New York Times, this primarily concerns air defence ammunition such as Patriot missiles.
Speaking on board the presidential aircraft, Trump said: "We have a lot of ammunition ... We have a lot of the mid-level stuff too, more than we could ever use no matter what. We have a lot. I'd like to have more, to be honest, but so much was given to Ukraine." While negotiations are ongoing, the Strait of Hormuz - a key route for oil transport in the region - remains largely blocked. Iran is allowing hardly any ships to pass through - and the US has imposed its own blockade.
Qatar and Pakistan are among the countries that are acting as mediators.
Trump pointed out that his predecessor, Joe Biden, had sent ammunition such as Patriot missiles to Ukraine to defend against Russian aggression. According to the relevant US military command, 17 ships have now been forced to turn back. In addition, two ships have been boarded, and two others rendered inoperable.
Source: Qatar Tribune