Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani has asserted that Tehran’s readiness to negotiate with US is dependent on the country lifting its naval blockade.
He stressed that the United States must halt its “violation of the ceasefire” before any new round of negotiations. “As soon as they lift the blockade, the next round of negotiations will be held in Islamabad,” the Iranian Ambassador to the UN said, adding, “Iran is prepared for any scenario.”
“We have not been the initiator of military aggression. If they seek a political solution, we are ready. If they seek war, Iran is ready for that as well.”
Amir-Saeid Iravani
His remarks come after the US President announced that US would continue its blockade but extend the ceasefire, due to expire today.
President Donald Trump announced an extension to the ceasefire with Iran, saying that the US military will hold off its planned attack to allow more time for Tehran to put forward a proposal to end the war. He noted that the decision comes at the request of Pakistani mediators.
Trump suggested that disagreements within the leadership in Tehran are slowing down diplomatic efforts.
“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.
“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”
Donald Trump
The extension marks the latest abrupt reversal from the Trump White House. Hours before his social media post, Trump had said that he opposed lengthening the truce, warning Iran that time is running out before the US launches a huge attack on its infrastructure.
Afterwards, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Trump for agreeing to prolong the truce, saying that Islamabad will continue to push for a negotiated settlement to the conflict. “I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to observe the ceasefire and be able to conclude a comprehensive ‘Peace Deal’ during the second round of talks scheduled at Islamabad for a permanent end to the conflict,” Sharif said in a post on X.
Without a specific deadline, Trump’s statement suggests that the truce’s extension is open-ended, at least from the US side.
Meanwhile, the IRGC said today that it is ready to confront any new aggression and will “inflict crushing blows” on its “enemy’s remaining assets” in case of renewed fighting. According to reports, the IRGC had stressed the need for vigilance during a “silent battlefield” and for monitoring enemy actions during the “so-called ceasefire.”
Trump Claims Iran’s Financial Collapse In Social Media Tirade
The US President continued his flurry of posts directed at Iran and critics of his war, saying in his latest post on his Truth Social platform that “Iran is collapsing financially!” “They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately,” Trump said.
He also claimed that Iran is “Starving for cash! Losing 500 Million Dollars a day.” He stated that the Iranian “Military and Police [are] complaining that they are not getting paid.” “SOS!!!” he added.
Brian Clark, a naval warfare expert and Director of defence concepts at the Washington, DC-based Hudson Institute think tank, opined that the US objectives in Iran have shifted from an early belief that a “decapitation attack” on the Iranian leadership would lead to “regime change” in the country.
He noted in remarks to a news agency that when that did not occur, military planners had to change objectives, and “that’s why you’ve seen the proliferation of goals.” “Because they are looking for some that they can actually achieve and count as accomplished, to give them the face-saving exit that they’re looking for,” he said.
Clark added that the Trump administration is now trying to claim victory “based on a changing range of goals,” which can be a “recipe for protraction and a recipe for being bogged down in a long-term confrontation.”
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