Tensions rise for the negotiations between Washington and Tehran as three oil tankers were struck transiting the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday. Iran previously directed ships to take a northerly route along their coast while exiting the Strait, but the U.S. called for ships to take a southernly route along the Omani coast.
“At least three tankers trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz via a route Iran has warned ships against using appeared to come under attack Tuesday. Iran did not claim any of the attacks, but its state TV network said at least one vessel ignored warnings from Iranian forces,” CBS News said Tuesday.
The negotiations are currently paused as Iran holds a week-long funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by joint Israeli/U.S. strikes in the opening day of the war.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that negotiations for a final deal will cease if the U.S. threat continues, but did not specifically reference President Donald Trump’s Monday comment directing Iran to make a deal, or he will be forced to “finish the job.”
“Negotiations on final deal will not commence if threats continue,” Araghchi said.
“Honor your signature,” Araghchi said, referencing the memorandum of understanding signed by President Trump and his Iranian counterpart in mid-June.
Trump threatened Iran to sign a final peace agreement on Monday, while Iran had officially paused negotiations for the state funeral.
“…make a deal or we’re going to finish the job,” Trump said Monday. “I’d rather make a deal, because I don’t want to affect 91 million people … We can knock down their bridges in one hour. We can knock out their energy supply.”
At least two of the tankers hit Tuesday were gulf-nation-flagged vessels.
- “A Qatari tanker carrying liquefied natural gas was struck by a projectile as it transited the strait near Oman’s coast earlier in the day, according to the U.K. navy,” CBS News reported.
- “A Qatari liquified natural gas tanker was at risk of exploding Tuesday due to a fire in its engine room, a source briefed on the incident told the Reuters news agency, after the vessel was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz,” CBS News reported.
- “The U.K. navy’s Maritime Trade Operations center said it received ‘a report of a further incident involving a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz,’ in what appeared to be a possible third attack on a commercial vessel by Iran Tuesday,” CBS News reported.
The Islamic Republic previously struck a Singapore-flagged commercial vessel June 25 for failing to abide by its approved exit route from the Strait.
One Response
I thought Irans navy was “obliterated” on day 1? According to Trump.