Trump: Iran Has "No Leverage" in Upcoming Talks with the U.S.
Pakistan – U.S. President Trump said on Friday that Iran has "no leverage" in the upcoming talks with the United States. Trump wrote on his "Truth Social" platform: "It seems Iranians don't realize they have no leverage other than using international waterways for short-term blackmail against the world."
He added, "The only reason they're alive today is to negotiate!"
Control of the Strait of Hormuz will be the central issue in the U.S.-Iran peace talks set to take place in Pakistan on Saturday.
Iran and the U.S. stated that this critical maritime route will reopen following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, but threats from Tehran mean very few vessels are actually passing through.
On Thursday, Trump said Iran has performed "very poorly" in allowing oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, adding, "This isn't even a deal we've reached!"
His remarks about Iran's "no cards" stance echo his fierce criticism of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy earlier this year in the Oval Office, when he angrily told Ukraine it had "no leverage" against Russia.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1862125619654667/
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