President Donald Trump accused Iran’s leadership of being “unbelievably duplicitous,” saying Tehran had requested meetings while publicly denying that negotiations were taking place.

“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.

Trump also dismissed Iranian claims regarding the Strait of Hormuz, saying the waterway was already under complete U.S. control. He said nothing would reach Iran unless Washington allowed it and warned that the pressure would remain until a deal or “total surrender” was achieved.

The remarks came after Trump announced that planned strikes against Iran had been canceled and said understandings had been reached regarding the Strait of Hormuz, with another agreement expected on Iran’s nuclear disarmament. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said negotiations were expected to begin Monday afternoon, though the report said talks had not yet begun as of Monday evening in Israel.

Trump also said Iran had strongly requested negotiations, quoting Tehran as saying, “We want to make a deal now,” before later denying that talks were underway. He concluded by declaring that Iran would never be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)