Trump: A deal with Iran is "very close." Otherwise, the military option is ready
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. is "very close to a very good deal with Iran," noting that any framework that does not meet Washington's conditions "will be redirected directly to the War Department."
In an interview with Fox News, Trump explained that he prefers the diplomatic track because signing the agreement "means immediately reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation," stressing that the primary guarantee he is upholding is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
He added that Tehran "has already agreed not to develop or purchase a nuclear weapon," but that negotiations "need time because the Iranians are experienced negotiators."
Trump bets: Tehran will raise the white flag
Trump stressed that Washington is "slowly and steadily getting what it wants from Tehran," warning that failure to do so would lead to "ending the conflict in a very different way."
He said Iran was "in a very bad position and has no actual army" and that what is left of its leadership "has become more rational after a series of US strikes", describing what is happening as a "regime change" and that Tehran will "raise the white flag".
Trump stressed that the current confrontation represents a "complete victory" for the United States, noting that the opening of the Strait of Hormuz must take place immediately and without transit fees, and that preventing Iran from acquiring any nuclear weapons is a "red line."
The US president announced that he would end the tasks of his forces from the region and said that US forces "will withdraw from the region as soon as the strait is opened and the Iranian nuclear file is completed".
The New York Times: Trump's amendments were sent to Tehran
The New York Times reported that Trump tightened the terms of the framework of a potential deal to end the war, and sent the amendments to Tehran through intermediaries, including Pakistan.
According to US officials, Trump was "concerned about items related to the release of funds for Iran" and expressed his "displeasure with the slow Iranian response," and the amendments are aimed at pushing Tehran to accept the framework raised to the Iranian leader.
The newspaper quoted an informed source as saying that the proposed framework stipulates an end to the war in exchange for Iran lifting the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, provided that the controversial files, especially the nuclear program, are transferred to subsequent rounds of negotiations.
Iran: Ships need permission to cross Strait of Hormuz
Iranian military authorities announced on Saturday (May 30th) that all ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz are obliged to obtain prior permission from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval forces, otherwise they will face a "security threat".
A statement issued by the command of the "Khatam al-Anbiya" central headquarters, the unit responsible for managing military operations, said that "the management of the Strait of Hormuz is fully authorized by the Iranian armed forces."
The statement stressed that all ships crossing the strait must adhere to the specified routes and obtain a permit from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy before passing, threatening that "violating these instructions will put the security of the passage of these ships at serious risk."
The Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters warned against any attempt to interfere in the management of navigation in the strait, stressing that foreign military ships that try to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz or obstruct traffic in it "will be considered targets of the Iranian armed forces."
Washington intercepts a merchant ship bound for Iran
The Associated Press reported on Saturday that the U.S. military intercepted a new commercial vessel that was trying to reach Iranian ports.
The agency quoted a US official, who asked not to be identified, that US forces stopped the Gambia-flagged bulk cargo ship "Lian Star" after it tried to break the US naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports.
The official explained that the ship ignored several warnings issued to it by US forces while trying to reach an Iranian port during the night, prompting US planes to target and disrupt it in the Gulf of Oman.
He pointed out that the US forces did not board the ship, which is still "drifting" in the sea after it was disabled, as he put it, revealing that the number of ships that US forces have stopped by force since the start of the naval blockade on Iran has risen to 6.
Earlier, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the number of ships that had changed their course due to the naval blockade imposed on Iran since April 13 reached 108 ships as of May 26.