Trump says US Is ‘only semi-negotiating’ with Iran as Strait of Hormuz tensions persist

US President Donald Trump said that “we are only semi-negotiating” with Iran, noting that he is prepared to allow economic pressure on Iran to mount as opposed to ordering a new military offensive.

“We are low keying it,” Trump said during a brief phone call, arguing that Iran “is in very bad shape” economically.

An agreement governing traffic in the Strait of Hormuz was negotiated among Iran, Oman, and the United States and has been pending for a few days. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran and Oman are “very close” to an agreement on the designation of a temporary route for maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

However, Araghchi added that the resumption of negotiations between Iran and the United States would not be possible unless the US ends its violation of the MoU recently signed between the two countries, stressing that no negotiations are currently underway between the two sides.

Earlier, Trump said that Iran will be “hit very hard” if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened “very soon.” In an interview, Trump said the United States is “having very good discussions” with Iran, though Tehran denied having any talks with Washington.

Trump previously warned that he was giving Iran a “last chance before decapitation,” saying they were talking about opening the Strait of Hormuz “literally by tomorrow.”

“I mean they’re going to go quickly, one way or the other. It’s not very complex,” Trump said. “We’re talking about the Strait, the opening of the Strait, having it open, literally by tomorrow.”

The contradictory claims leave the gateway to the world for 20 per cent of fossil fuels trapped in uncertainty.