The threat of a new US offensive against Iran gave way, at least temporarily, to a diplomatic instance. Aboard Air Force One, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that talks with Tehran will begin this Monday afternoon, after suspending a military attack that, he assured, was fully prepared.
“Now what we are doing is talking with them in a negotiation,” Trump said this Sunday before journalists.
The president stated that the decision to stop the operation responded to requests from Iran and countries in the region, among which he mentioned Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. “It was going to be an attack that would have been, by far, the biggest attack since World War II, but they asked us not to do it. They said: ‘Please, don’t do it’,” he declared.
According to Trump, the suspension seeks to open an opportunity to reach an agreement that allows reducing tensions and avoiding new military actions. “I would love to do it. We would save many lives and save a lot of unnecessary energy,” he said.
Trump stated that the talks will initially focus on reaching an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for international energy transport.
“They think there is a possible agreement on Hormuz, and then there could be one on the denuclearization of Iran,” he said.
The president had previously assured that the parameters of a possible understanding would include the full reopening of the strait and the end of the Iranian nuclear threat. However, there is no definitive agreement yet between Washington and Tehran.
A regional authority involved in the mediation indicated that the proposal contemplates resuming negotiations, reopening the strait, and stopping regional attacks. In exchange, the United States would end the naval blockade and allow the export of Iranian oil.
Trump warned that the suspension of attacks will depend on the progress of the talks and that Washington could resume military operations if the diplomatic route fails.
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