US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he is in a “deciding mode” on Iran and that “very big things” are likely to happen in the near future as he weighs his options in the war.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said he is considering a handful of choices, including “wiping Iran out”, “letting them rot economically”, or striking a deal. “My question is, if and when do I blow the entire nation up? They better behave,” the president said. He further said that some Iranian officials are “hiding like rats” and that it is impossible to find anyone capable of striking a deal.
Trump says Houthis in touch, agreed not to fight US
Trump also told Fox News that the United States is in constant touch with the Houthis and that they have agreed not to fight the US. Despite his remarks, there were indications that a new front is opening in the restive Middle East, as the American administration studies potential military steps against the Houthis following their missile attack on Riyadh, which Saudi forces claimed to have intercepted successfully. Amid the escalating tensions, Trump cut short an overnight stay at Camp David and returned early to the White House.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said earlier that military intervention could have swiftly concluded the conflict with the Houthis had it not been for concerns over innocent Yemeni civilians.
Trump open to meeting Pezeshkian on UNGA sidelines
Trump said he would probably be open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is expected to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week.
Tehran has sent a list of seven demands to the US for ending the war. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is also the chief negotiator in the talks, said, “Our messages and the explanation of our conditions have been clearly conveyed to the other party through mediators.”
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“As long as the conditions are not met… and the US commitments are not honoured, it will be impossible to return to the situation from before the negotiations and to an open strait,” he added, according to Iranian state television.
US naval blockade continues
The US naval blockade remains in place and is affecting the Iranian economy. According to CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil have been escorted out of the Persian Gulf.
