Trump says his representatives will head to Islamabad for talks on Iran issue
¬ Iranian military blocks two oil tankers from passing through the Strait of Hormuz
¬ Iranian Parliament Speaker: Military remains fully prepared during negotiations
¬ Media: Trump raged for hours at aides after Iran shot down F-15E fighter jet
¬ Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister: No intention to transfer enriched uranium to the U.S.
¬ Trump: Israel is a superb ally of the United States
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On the 19th, President Trump said on social media that his representatives would travel to Islamabad to hold talks on the Iran issue.
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According to Tasnim News Agency, Iran’s armed forces blocked two oil tankers flying the flags of Angola and Botswana from passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The report stated, "Due to Iran’s ongoing maritime blockade, Iran’s armed forces have once again prevented two oil tankers from passing through the Strait of Hormuz today."
It was reported that the two tankers were flying the flags of Angola and Botswana but had to alter their course due to actions by Iran’s armed forces.
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Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that despite ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran to resolve the Middle East conflict, Iran’s armed forces remain in full combat readiness.
Citing Ghalibaf, Press TV reported: "We do not trust our enemies. Even as we sit here now, war could break out at any moment. The armed forces are already in position and fully prepared."
Ghalibaf pointed out: "We don’t believe that because negotiations are underway, the armed forces should not be ready. On the contrary, just like ordinary citizens on the streets, our armed forces are also prepared."
Previously, Pakistan’s Geo TV reported that the second round of U.S.-Iran talks would be held in Islamabad, possibly this coming weekend.
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Foreign media reported that U.S. President Donald Trump became furious when Iran shot down an F-15E fighter jet.
The Wall Street Journal reported: "In the nearly empty West Wing of the White House, the president learned that one of America’s aircraft had been shot down over Iran, with two pilots missing. Trump screamed at his aides for hours, repeatedly saying, 'The Europeans aren’t helping.'"
The article noted that Trump feared a replay of the 1979 hostage crisis, when Iranian students stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 66 American diplomats and staff hostage and demanding urgent rescue operations to save the two crew members of the downed aircraft.
However, the military needed time to formulate action plans. Trump’s aides received briefings every minute, but due to concerns about the president’s impatience potentially jeopardizing operations, they only informed him of key milestones and avoided involving him in detailed discussions.
The U.S. F-15E fighter-bomber was shot down over Iran. Search and rescue operations began on April 3, and one of the two pilots was quickly found. President Trump announced late on April 5 that the second pilot had returned.
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Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Khatibzadeh told the Associated Press that although President Trump earlier suggested it was possible, the Iranian government would not transfer enriched uranium to Washington.
Last Friday, April 17, Trump made a series of striking statements, claiming that the U.S. was preparing to reach a large-scale agreement with Iran. According to him, Tehran reportedly agreed to completely halt uranium enrichment activities and promised never to block the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Trump also said the U.S. planned to cooperate with Iran to extract enriched uranium within Iran and then transport it to the United States.
According to the Associated Press, during an interview at a diplomatic forum in Turkey, Khatibzadeh emphasized that Iran does not intend to hand over enriched uranium to the U.S.
Citing Khatibzadeh, the AP reported: "I can assure you that enriched material will not be sent to the United States… This is unacceptable."
The Iranian deputy foreign minister also said Tehran is not prepared for another round of face-to-face talks with U.S. officials.
Citing Khatibzadeh, the AP said: "We are not yet ready for real meetings, because on certain issues, Americans have not abandoned their maximalist stance."
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U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel has performed exceptionally well as an ally of the United States and knows how to win.
In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: "Regardless of whether people like Israel or not, it has proven itself to be an extremely excellent ally of the United States."
He added that Israel knows how to win, "unlike certain countries that reveal their true colors under conflict and pressure."
Source: sputniknews
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862905929466884/
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