Iran has lashed out at Donald Trump, claiming no talks have taken place with the US administration. The US President claimed « productive » discussions with Tehran caused him to postpone strikes on the country’s power plants in retaliation for closing the Strait of Hormuz.
However, two Iranian news agencies close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that there had been no direct or indirect negotiations with Washington. The Fars and Tasnim news agencies instead said Mr Trump backed down out of fear of a response from the regime.
Tasnim said: « Since the start of the war, messages have been sent to Tehran by some mediators, but Iran’s clear response has been that it will continue its defence until the required level of deterrence is achieved.
« No negotiations have taken place and none are underway. … With this kind of psychological warfare, neither the Strait of Hormuz will return to prewar conditions nor will calm return to energy markets. »
He wrote on Truth Social: « I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
« BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.
« THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP. »
The US President previously gave Tehran until this evening to open the Strait of Hormuz or risk the destruction of its power plants in an ultimatum also posted on his social media platform.
The yield on 10-year Government bonds dropped to 4.89% from 5.121%, while the FTSE 100 went up by 0.5% after falling more than 2% earlier.
Source link
