Trump Sees Low Chance of Renewed Combat with Iran Amid Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he believes there is a "very high probability" that renewed combat with Iran will not be necessary as long as negotiations are progressing. "It depends on whether they sign a very strong deal," Trump told CNN in a phone interview. He noted Iran's economic struggles, citing inflation at 301% this year. "There will very likely be no need for it (renewed combat), but if there is a need, I will do it," he added.

In response, Hossein Moghimi, a spokesperson for Iran's Revolutionary Guards, asserted that the U.S. cannot achieve its objectives by blockading Iran's economy and trade routes, claiming Iran is prepared and maintains close ties with neighboring countries. Moghimi was commenting on U.S. Central Command's "Iron Gate" operation, launched to thwart the smuggling of weapons and other sanctioned materials through Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea. "The 'Iron Gate' plan is nothing more than a play on words. The Americans will not succeed in exerting heavy economic pressure that will lead to the collapse of Iran's economy," Moghimi stated.

Reports from Iranian state television on Saturday indicated explosions heard in several locations around the Strait of Hormuz, including the cities of Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Jask, and Qeshm Island. President Trump confirmed that the U.S. had attacked Qeshm Island, stating, "They built a small anti-aircraft device and we eliminated it in about 15 minutes, maybe five." This marked the first U.S. strike in Iran since the midterm elections. U.S. Central Command also announced an attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, east of the Strait of Hormuz, after the vessel ignored warnings and attempted to violate the U.S. blockade. A drone then fired on the ship, preventing its advance as it tried to leave the area after docking in an Iranian port.

Meanwhile, The Guardian reported on Saturday that Qatar, mediating talks between Iran and the U.S., is promoting a proposal where Tehran would allow nuclear inspectors access to sites bombed during past conflicts with Israel and the U.S. Under this proposal, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors would also visit Iranian sites holding stockpiles of highly enriched uranium. In return for allowing inspections, the U.S. would immediately lift its naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and release a portion of $8 billion in frozen Iranian funds held in Qatari banks. The Qatari proposal does not require Iran to commit to removing enriched uranium from its territory, with options like diluting the material being considered. Iran would also commit to opening traffic in the Strait of Hormuz on the second day of the agreement, on a route already agreed upon with Oman. However, Iran is demanding preconditions from the U.S. before discussing its nuclear program, including an end to the U.S. blockade, sanctions relief, unfreezing assets, war reparations, and an end to hostilities in the region, including Israeli actions in Lebanon. The U.S. is also offering a reward of up to $20 million for information on Iran's nuclear program, including facilities, equipment, and personnel, particularly nuclear scientists, with the possibility of emigration for informants.