"Talks should happen. I assume no one's playing games at this point." Donald Trump told the New York Post regarding negotiations between Iran and the United States.
His deputy JD Vance, along with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, left for Islamabad, Pakistan , for the new round of talks with Tehran's negotiators.
The aim, after the truce, the announcements, the counter-announcements and the mutual accusations on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz , is to lay the foundations for reaching an agreement with the Islamic Republic for a lasting ceasefire .
Trump also reiterated his willingness to meet with the Iranian leadership should the opportunity arise. "I have no problem meeting with them," Washington's leader stated. Without an agreement, however, he again threatened Trump, "the bombs will start exploding again."
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Live broadcast on Monday, April 20th
Trump: "I'm winning the war" – "I'm winning a war, and winning big. Things are going great, our military has been extraordinary." Donald Trump stated this on his social media account, attacking "fake news" for their coverage of the conflict. The US president also attacked Democrats, calling them "traitors."
"Pezeshkian: 'The US is seeking Iran's surrender, we will not bow' – Respecting commitments is the rationale that justifies any kind of dialogue. Beyond Iran's deep and historic mistrust of the US government's behavior and actions, the unconstructive and contradictory approach of American officials in recent days sends a bitter message: they are seeking Iran's surrender. The Iranian people will not bow to coercion," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in a message on X written in English and Persian.
- Trump: "Either we have a deal or there will be more bombs" – If the ceasefire were to expire on Tuesday, "then a lot of bombs will start exploding." Donald Trump said this on PBS when asked what would happen if the ceasefire expires.
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- Trump: "Vance and the US delegation in Pakistan in a few hours" – The American delegation led by J.D. Vance is en route to Pakistan and is expected to land in a few hours, Donald Trump told the New York Post.
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- Media: "New round of Israel-Lebanon negotiations on Thursday" – Israel and Lebanon will hold a second round of negotiations on Thursday, Israeli broadcaster Kan 11 reported, citing diplomatic sources, without specifying the location of the meeting between the parties.
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- Tehran: "We have not yet decided whether to participate in the talks" - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that Iran has not yet decided whether to participate in the new round of talks with the United States.
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- Iranian Media: "Iranian Drones Attacked US Ships" – "A few hours ago, American terrorists attacked an Iranian container ship named Touska, which was headed to Iran from China, in the Gulf of Oman. Following the American attack, Iranian forces also attacked several American military vessels with drones. Iran will respond to any American action with appropriate retaliation." This was reported by the Iranian news agency Tasnim.
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Oil surges 7.3% following the US seizure of an Iranian vessel – Oil surges following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the US seizure of an Iranian vessel. Brent crude rises 7.3% to $96.94 a barrel.
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- Iran: "We will respond quickly to the blockade of our ship" – Iran promises to "respond quickly" to the US seizure of a cargo ship attempting to break the blockade in the Gulf of Oman. "The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond quickly and take retaliatory measures against this act of armed piracy and against the American military," a spokesman for the Iranian General Staff wrote on Telegram, accusing the US of "violating the ceasefire."
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Iranian Official: "Mojtaba Only Suffers Minor Leg Wound" – Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, suffered a minor leg wound during the Israeli-American airstrikes on his residential compound, according to a senior Iranian official. Iran International reports this. Azim Ebrahimpour stated that Mojtaba Khamenei was inside the compound at the time of the attack and was slightly injured by the blast wave of a missile. He also stated that reports of other injuries were false and that speculation about his health was aimed at sowing divisions.
CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST: ALL THE NEWS
(Unioneonline)
