President Trump has denied American media reports suggesting that he is seeking a way out of the war he initiated, while once again criticizing NATO for its non-participation.
Trump claims that Iran is desperate and eager to negotiate an end to the war. “It is not me who is desperately seeking an agreement,” said the American president on Thursday during a cabinet meeting. “In fact, we have other targets to hit before the end, and we attack them daily,” he added, criticizing an article in the Wall Street Journal that claimed he was actively seeking to end the conflict quickly. “So they want to reach an agreement. The reason they want to reach an agreement is because they got their ass kicked,” Trump added.
President Trump’s special negotiator, Steve Witkoff, present at the meeting, confirmed reports that the United States had presented Iran with a 15-point peace plan. Witkoff explained that Iran was “seeking a way out” and warned them not to make another miscalculation.
Earlier on Thursday, Iran had stated that there was still no agreement for negotiations, and no plans for talks seemed realistic at this stage. Despite a significant destruction of their arsenal, Iranians continue to put pressure on the global economy by obstructing the navigation of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
“I have the feeling that this will be resolved quite quickly,” Trump emphasized. He cited the Iranians offering a gesture by allowing eight oil tankers to pass under Pakistani flags as a sign of their willingness to find a negotiated solution.
Trump also reiterated his accusations against European allies of the United States for not immediately sending their navies to patrol the Strait of Hormuz after he called on them to participate in the war.
“We were there for them, at least, we were, I don’t know if it’s the case today, to be honest with you,” Trump stated. “We were there to protect Europe from Russia. In theory, it doesn’t concern us, because we are behind a big, beautiful ocean, but they are not there to protect us,” he added.
