Gulf Source Says Iran’s Demands Are Still Unacceptable to the U.S., Gaps Remain Wide

An Arab official in Gulf states involved in talks with Iran said tonight (Thursday) to News 13 that the gaps between Washington and Tehran in the talks are “still large.” According to him, while Arab states continue to push for a interim agreement between the United States and Iran, the demands being put forward by the Islamic Republic are still not acceptable to the American side. His remarks contradict U.S. President Donald Trump’s assessment, who said there had been progress in contacts with Iran. He also clarified that if the Iranians do not reach an agreement with him, the war will resume.

Earlier today, Trump wrote on the social network Truth that the United States would strike Iran heavily again tonight. He claimed that “Tehran’s defense systems, including the navy, air force, radar and air defense systems, along with most of its offensive capabilities, no longer exist,” and emphasized that in the “not too distant future” the United States would take control of Kharg, the “oil island,” and additional oil and gas infrastructure facilities in the country.

After a series of threats heard last night, the U.S. military struck Iranian targets overnight in Tehran, the port city of Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Qeshm and additional areas across Iran. In response, Iran again launched ballistic missiles and UAVs toward American targets in Gulf states and Jordan. During the American strikes, U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News: “If the Iranians do not sign a deal, we will bomb the hell out of them tonight.” However, a diplomatic source told CNN that negotiations between the United States and Iran are still ongoing.

After the exchange of fire between the U.S. and Iran on Wednesday, an American source told CNN: “The strikes were intended to be a warning shot, the president believes they will not hurt the negotiations to end the war.” Meanwhile, the Iranian news agency Mehr reported that a distant explosion was heard on Qeshm Island. According to the report, “the source of the explosion may have been movements made in the Strait of Hormuz.”