"We will be negotiating this weekend," US President Donald Trump told reporters on 17/4 aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington from Phoenix, Arizona, referring to discussions with Iran.
Trump did not specify details of the negotiations with Iran, but indicated he might not extend the two-week ceasefire with Tehran, set to expire on 22/4. Both sides had agreed to this ceasefire to facilitate talks aimed at resolving the conflict.
"The blockade of Iranian ports remains, and unfortunately we may have to start bombing Iran again," the US president stated, outlining a scenario where negotiations fail to produce an agreement.
However, he also mentioned "quite positive news" related to Iran, but declined to offer further details.
"We just received some quite positive news about 20 minutes ago, and it seems things are progressing favorably in the Middle East regarding Iran," he noted. "Everyone will know what it is soon enough. I just think this is completely reasonable and should happen. Let's wait and see."
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US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on 17/4. *Photo: AFP*
US and Iranian delegations are expected to arrive in Pakistan this weekend for negotiations scheduled for 20/4. This comes one week after the initial round of talks in Pakistan ended without reaching an agreement.
Pentagon officials declared US forces in the Middle East are ready to resume combat if Iran does not accept a peace agreement.
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Iran would "fully open" the Strait of Hormuz, responding to a ten-day ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah group in Lebanon. The US president welcomed Iran's action but maintained that the blockade of Iranian ports remains effective until a bilateral agreement is "100% complete."
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Iran's negotiating delegation last weekend, on 17/4 criticized President Trump for making "7 false statements within one hour," without specifying which remarks.
"They have not won the war with these lies and certainly will achieve nothing in the negotiations," Ghalibaf stated. He also warned that Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz again if the US maintained its port blockade.
In a Truth Social post on 17/4, Trump expressed anticipation for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "Our meeting in China will be a special and potentially historic one. I look forward to meeting Chairman Xi; much will be accomplished!" Trump wrote.
The US leader initially planned a visit to Beijing in late March or early April to foster the rebuilding of trade relations between the world's two largest economies. However, President Trump later postponed the China visit to prioritize the Iran issue.
The White House announced the China visit would take place on 14-15/5, signaling US expectation that an agreement with Iran would be reached by then.
Huyen Le (According to Reuters, CNN)
