Follow-up – INA
U.S. President Donald Trump returned from China on Friday facing major decisions over Iran, with senior aides drafting plans for a possible return to military strikes if Trump decides to break the deadlock with further bombing, according to The New York Times.
The newspaper said Trump had not yet made a final decision on his next steps, citing aides familiar with the matter. Officials from the countries involved are seeking a compromise that would push Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while allowing Trump to declare victory and convince sceptical American voters that the costly military operation in Iran had succeeded.
However, Trump reiterated to reporters aboard Air Force One shortly after departing Beijing that Iran’s latest peace proposal was unacceptable.
“I looked at it, and if I don’t like the first sentence, I simply throw it out,” Trump said.
Trump also said he discussed the Iranian file with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a strategic partner of Tehran that relies on oil and gas transported through the strait. He denied asking Xi to exert pressure on Iran, while full details of their talks have yet to be disclosed.
