US President Donald Trump has stated that his main goals for any agreement include preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and reopening the blocked Strait of Hormuz (Kent NISHIMURA)
(Kent NISHIMURA/AFP/AFP)
Iran’s lead negotiator warned on Sunday that the United States cannot be trusted, emphasizing that Tehran will not agree to any deal unless it fully guarantees Iranian rights.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s comments came as reports surfaced that US President Donald Trump had proposed a stricter peace plan back to Iran, highlighting the significant divide that still needs addressing.
Any changes to the draft could lead to further delays in reaching an agreement to officially end the conflict in the Middle East and reopen the Strait of Hormuz after weeks filled with tense negotiations characterized by heated rhetoric and occasional bursts of violence.
Iran was already discussing its nuclear program with the United States in February when air and missile strikes from both the US and Israel decimated much of Iran’s senior leadership.
Despite Tehran’s long-standing claim that its nuclear program is intended solely for civilian purposes, the United States along with its Western allies suspect it aims to create a weapon.
The New York Times and Axios reported on Saturday that Trump sent back a “tougher” new proposal for Iran’s consideration, though specific details remain unclear.
Trump has expressed his priorities as including halting any nuclear weapon development by Iran and reopening the Hormuz shipping lane, which has been blockaded since hostilities began.
“The one guarantee that I have to have is that there will be no nuclear weapons. They’ve agreed to that, and it was very interesting,” he told his daughter-in-law Lara Trump during an interview on her Fox News show.
However, Tehran has previously questioned Trump’s claims and both sides are still far apart on crucial matters.
“We will not approve any agreement until we are certain that the rights of the Iranian people have been upheld,” Ghalibaf said in a video broadcast on state television.
According to Tasnim news agency, discussions about the document “are ongoing, with both parties regularly proposing amendments”.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that “until a clear conclusion is reached.. everything that is being said now is speculation”, according to state TV.
Iran has insisted it requires $12 billion in frozen assets released before engaging in meaningful discussions regarding its nuclear program, rejecting earlier comments from Trump suggesting its enriched uranium stockpile would be destroyed as “baseless”, according to Iranian media.
– Flare-ups –
One of Washington’s declared war objectives was eliminating Iran’s ballistic missile program. General Dan Caine -the top military officer- estimated in April that over 80 percent of its missile facilities had been targeted.
However , CNN reported on Sunday that an analysis of satellite images revealed Tehran managed to excavate 50 out of 69 tunnel entrances impacted by US strikes at 18 underground missile sites.
Even though daily strikes across Iran and the Gulf stopped after Tehran and Washington agreed upon a temporary ceasefire in April , sporadic attacks have continued.
Iran ‘ s Revolutionary Guards reportedly shot down a US military drone “about to enter Iranian territorial waters”, according to state broadcaster IRIB , although Washington hasn’t confirmed this incident.
Trump faces pressure to finalize a deal aimed at lifting competing US and Iranian blockades around the Strait of Hormuz which have restricted this vital route for global oil shipments.
After Trump mentioned Iran wouldn’t impose “any tolls” on vessels passing through under any agreement , sources cited by Iranian news agency Fars claimed “no such clause” existed.
The ISNA news agency quoted lawmaker Alireza Salimi saying plans for Iranian “management and sovereignty” over the strait- including imposing “administrative fees”- would soon be presented before parliament.
– Lebanon front –
Tehran maintains any peace settlement must encompass Lebanon where fierce clashes persist , with Beirut accusing Israel of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy” while expanding operations against Hezbollah supported by Iran.<
A truce between Israel and Hezbollah officially started on April 17 but hasn’t been respected; both parties blame each other for violations.<
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Monday regarding Israel’s expanding offensive following their capture of Beaufort Castle-a significant medieval stronghold-as diplomatic sources informed AFP.<
On Sunday , smoke rose from surrounding areas while AFP observed Israel ‘s flag above Beaufort Castle- historically used as base during previous Israeli occupation spanning two decades.<
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described retaking Beaufort as “a dramatic shift”.<
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah remarked this castle “was not a military site”, adding raising Israeli flag there “should provoke feelings among every loyal patriot”.
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