Iran, US still far apart on deal; Trump says ready but in no hurry for strikes
USO•A senior Iranian official said Tehran and Washington remain far from a deal, while Trump said he was ready to resume strikes but saw no immediate reason to do so. The US carried out what an official called limited “defensive” strikes on Iran’s Qeshm island, as mediators continued talks.
1. Talks and military strikes
Iran and the United States remained far apart on a deal to end their war, a senior Iranian official said, as Qatar worked to narrow the gaps. The United States carried out “defensive” strikes on Iran’s Qeshm island overnight, targeting surface-to-air missiles used against US assets; an official said the strikes appeared limited and did not signal a return to major combat operations.
2. Trump’s comments
Trump renewed his warnings of military action but said he was in no hurry to strike. “I’m ready, we’re ready. We’re locked and loaded if we need to go, but there may be no reason for it,” he told the Financial Times. He also said indirect discussions over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile were ongoing.
3. Mediators seek progress
Qatar said both sides were reviewing proposals put forward by mediators, and an official briefed on the talks expected feedback from Washington and Tehran within 36 hours. Iran said it would not accept what it called excessive US demands and insisted its conditions—including waiving oil sanctions, ending the US naval blockade and releasing frozen funds—must be met for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen. Oil prices slipped in early trade on Wednesday.
