Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
US President Donald Trump has pushed back against reports that peace talks between Washington and Tehran have broken down. He insisted that negotiations with Iran is ongoing despite recent speculation of a halt in talks.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump dismissed reports claiming that the two sides had stopped communicating in recent days, calling them “false and erroneous”.
“Fake News Reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the USA, stopped speaking a few days ago are false and erroneous. The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today,” he wrote.
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While communication channels remain open, according to the US president, major disagreements persist over Lebanon and Gaza. Iran had suspended talks, citing continued Israeli military operations in both territories. Tehran’s nuclear programme and the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are also bigger sticking points in the negotiations.
The lack of clarity over the direction of the talks has fuelled speculation about whether the two sides can translate continued contacts into a broader diplomatic
“Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, ‘It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a deal. You’ve been doing this for 47 years, and it cannot be allowed to go on any longer!'”
IRAN CLAIMED TO SUSPEND TALKS WITH US
A day before, Iran announced it was halting indirect talks with Washington through mediators, citing Israel’s continued military actions in Lebanon and Gaza. According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Tehran believes the conditions required for negotiations no longer exist because ceasefire commitments have been violated.
“Given the continuation of the Israeli regime’s attacks in Lebanon, and considering that Lebanon had been one of the preconditions for a ceasefire — which has now been violated on all fronts, including Lebanon — the Iranian negotiating team is suspending talks and exchanges of texts through mediators,” Tasnim reported.
TRUMP SHRUGS OFF DIPLOMATIC SETBACK
Despite Tehran’s announcement, Trump had appeared largely unconcerned about the possibility of negotiations stalling. Speaking to CNBC, the President said he was not worried by reports that Iran had suspended communications.
“I don’t care if they’re over, honestly. I really don’t care. I couldn’t care less,” Trump said.
ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH TRADE NEW STRIKES
The crisis continues to unfold as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalate.
Earlier, Trump announced an agreement aimed at reducing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. In a Truth Social post, he said both sides had “agreed that all shooting will stop — that Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel”.
However, the arrangement quickly appeared to unravel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently ordered fresh attacks on southern Lebanon. Hezbollah later rejected the reported ceasefire arrangement and continued attacks on Israel.
– Ends
With inputs from agencies
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
