WASHINGTON — President Trump on Monday blasted Iran’s leadership as “unbelievably duplicitous,” accusing Tehran of privately pursuing peace talks with the US while publicly denying any negotiations were taking place days after he called off a massive military campaign planned for the weekend.
In a Truth Social post, Trump claimed Iranian officials had sought a meeting with the US before turning around and insisting they were only in talks with Oman over plans for the Strait of Hormuz.
“They ask for a meeting, some would say ‘beg,’ talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they’re not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they’re only dealing with ‘Oman,’” Trump wrote.
The president also scoffed at Iran’s claims that it controls the Strait of Hormuz, arguing the strategic waterway is effectively under US control because of the American naval blockade.
“They … give their usual blather in saying, the Strait of Hormuz will be operated powerfully by them, when it is already completely controlled by the United States Navy and our ‘Blockade’ or, as some say, ‘The United States Wall of Steel!’ he said.
He added that nothing would reach Iran unless the US allowed it — once again calling for “total surrender” by Tehran if a deal cannot be reached.
“Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished,” he wrote.
Trump’s broadside came after he called off a military operation against Iran over the weekend he described as the biggest since “World War II,” choosing instead to continue pursuing a diplomatic solution while leaving the threat of force on the table.
Despite Iran’s m public denials, Trump insisted negotiations are ongoing.
“Whether Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused, for decades,” he wrote.
Trump ended the post by reiterating his longstanding warning that Iran will never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
“It is very simple,” he wrote. “IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!”
Pakistani mediators said no date or location had been set for another round of direct talks.
However, Pakistani Foreign Minister Sen. Mohammad Ishaq Dar in a phone call Monday formally invited Iranian negotiator Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Islamabad “at his earliest convenience,” Islamabad said in a statement Monday.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
