Washington: US President Donald Trump held a White House Situation Room meeting with his advisers on Saturday but has not yet taken the final decision on Iran. A senior administration official reportedly said that though a deal is close, matters including unfreezing of funds for the Iranians are being deliberated upon.
“The Situation Room meeting has concluded and lasted approximately two hours. President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines. Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” a White House official said in a statement.
Taking to his handle on Truth Social Trump on Friday, said that he was heading to the White House Situation Room to make a final determination on the future of negotiations with Iran.
In the post, Trump suggested that talks had reached an advanced stage, outlining key terms that would form the basis of a potential agreement between the two countries. “I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination,” Trump wrote on his post.
He pressed that” Iran should agree to never have a nuclear weapon or bomb, besides demanded immediate opening of Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted commercial traffic without tolls. He also claimed that naval blockades imposed in the region would be lifted and that ships stranded in the Strait could begin returning home.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran secures concessions “through missiles, not dialogue”, adding that Tehran trusts only actions, not guarantees or words. He also said no steps would be taken before the other side acts, and argued that the true winner of any agreement is the side best prepared for war the day after. IRGC added that 24 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours.
Elsewhere in southern Lebanon Israeli troops penetrated the village of Dibbine near Marjayoun early Friday, advancing further into Lebanese territory even as military officials from both sides held direct talks at the Pentagon over the ongoing conflict. The escalation came alongside renewed Israeli airstrikes that killed at least six people, including five in strikes on the villages of Deir Qanoun al Nahr and Abbasiyeh, and a municipal policeman in Ebba, according to state media reports.
Israeli forces have significantly escalated operations in eastern and southern Lebanon around the city of Nabatieh, with troops advancing north of the Litani River toward the towns of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Mayfadoun, and Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, according to ground reports.The Litani River has long been regarded as a key strategic line in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
According to the UN, at least 15 children were killed and 62 others injured in Lebanon over the past week despite the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
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