Iran says it’s ‘fully prepared’ for war as Trump leaves more strikes on table
President Donald Trump says more U.S. strikes against Iran before the midterms are still possible after rejecting Tehran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran says it is “fully prepared” to resume fighting but remains open to diplomacy.
When asked on Sunday if strikes in the coming weeks are still possible, Trump said, “I don’t want to say that. I don’t want to say that. I mean, it’s possible, but I just don’t want to say that.”
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Iran says it’s ready for war
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi laid out both options Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” saying Iran is prepared to resume fighting with the U.S. but remains ready to negotiate.
“We are fully prepared for the time for the war to be resumed,” Araghchi said. “And I repeat, we stand firm in the face of any new aggression, even when it comes to a doomsday war. But at the same time, we are ready, we stand ready for diplomacy. It is up to President Trump to choose. He wanted unconditional surrender in the previous war in two days, and now it’s eight months that they are fighting with no result.”
Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal over the weekend, which calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if its conditions are met and restarting talks toward a broader agreement.
But Araghchi said Trump’s rejection had not yet been officially relayed to Tehran through mediators. Iran’s proposal also calls for frozen Iranian assets to be released and would allow the country to resume oil exports.
“We are ready for diplomacy,” Araghchi added. “We are ready for war at the same time.”
Trump expects more talks
In an interview with Axios published Sunday, Trump said he expects more talks with Iran this week.
“They want to make a deal, but it is not the deal that I want to make,” he said. “It is what we would have maybe agreed to a year ago. They overplayed their hand.”
Two regional sources told Axios another round of indirect talks could begin as early as Monday.
Impact on oil
Oil prices spiked Monday after Trump rejected Iran’s proposal.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, jumped about 4%, topping $108 per barrel at one point. The U.S. benchmark also rose 4% to more than $96 per barrel.