Trump denies rushing to reach an agreement, continues military actions against Iran

This article is reproduced from [Xinhua News Agency];

Xinhua News Agency, Washington, March 26 - U.S. President Trump denied on the 26th that he is eager to reach an agreement with Iran, stating that U.S. military actions against Iran are ongoing. Earlier, Iranian officials said they had officially responded to the U.S. proposed “15-point plan,” claiming that U.S. statements about negotiations are merely a “deception” tactic.

On that day, Trump fiercely criticized U.S. media reports suggesting he was urgently seeking to end the war through diplomatic means, insisting that it is Iran that wants to resume negotiations. He stated that the decision to cease hostilities depends on Iran, and in the meantime, U.S. bombings will continue. He also said he does not care whether an agreement with Iran is reached, “I am not in a hurry at all.”

Trump also mentioned that he is uncertain whether Iran will comply with his deadline of opening the Strait of Hormuz by the 27th, and he is not sure if negotiations will go smoothly, but “we have plenty of time.”

Additionally, during the meeting, Trump refused to respond to questions about whether the U.S. would take action to control Iran’s enriched uranium, calling the question “absurd.” He also claimed that controlling Iran’s oil exports is “an option,” but it is not convenient to discuss it further at this time.

On the 21st, Trump posted on social media, threatening that Iran must open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, or he would destroy its various power plants. On the 23rd, he again posted on social media, stating that the U.S. and Iran had engaged in “very good and productive” dialogue over the past two days, and the U.S. would “delay airstrikes on Iranian power plants by 5 days.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif stated on the 25th that in recent days, the U.S. has conveyed messages to Iran through several friendly countries, and Iran has sent warnings or expressed its position to the U.S. through these mediators. “This is not negotiation or dialogue, but rather an exchange of information.” On the same day, Iranian state television reported, citing a senior official, that Iran rejected the ceasefire proposal put forward by the U.S. and proposed five conditions of its own regarding the ceasefire. Iranian media reported on the 26th, citing informed sources, that Iran’s response had been formally issued through mediating countries on the evening of the 25th. Iran is well aware that “this time, the Americans again use negotiations as a guise to pave the way for new crimes.”