U.S. President to Meet Advisers for ‘Final Determination’ on Iran Deal

AFP

U.S. President Donald Trump and VP JD Vance.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would make a final decision on Friday over a deal with ‌Iran to extend their ceasefire that would need to include opening the Strait of Hormuz and dismantling Tehran's capacity to make a nuclear weapon.

"I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination," he said, referring to the White House's nerve centre for monitoring global crises.

"Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb. The Hormuz Strait must be immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions," President Trump said, adding that nuclear material would be "unearthed" by the U.S.

There was no immediate response from Iran, but earlier its top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf had sounded sceptical.

"We do not trust guarantees and words, only actions are the criterion. No action will be taken before the other side acts," Qalibaf said in a social media post, without elaborating.

In his post on ⁠Truth Social, President Trump said mines would be removed from the strait and ships trapped there may start to go home: "Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President!"

He added that no money would be exchanged "until further notice" - a ⁠possible reference to Iran's demands for toll payments in the strait, war damage reparations or a release of Iranian funds frozen abroad.

"The winner of any agreement is the one who is better ‌prepared ⁠for war the day after."



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