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ConflictTrump: Agreed to more Iran talks, but ceasefire is over
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US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he agreed to further negotiations with Iran, but reiterated that the ceasefire between the two countries is over. The announcement came after a second consecutive day of exchanges of fire this week, threatening a return to full-scale regional war. Iranian media reported that a Qatari mediation delegation was in Tehran on Friday, following Doha's condemnation of Iran for an alleged attack on one of its LNG tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran denied. The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland over three weeks ago aimed at turning a months-long ceasefire into durable peace, but only one round of direct talks and indirect negotiations in Qatar have occurred since, with no diplomatic progress. Egypt's foreign minister called for a return to the negotiating table.
Source report
US President Donald Trump said on Friday he had agreed to continue negotiations with Iran, even as he reiterated his claim that the ceasefire between the long-time adversaries had ended.
No Direct Talks Since Last Month
While there have been no direct talks between Iran and the United States since last month, Iranian media reported that a delegation from mediator Qatar was in Tehran on Friday, following another exchange of strikes between the warring sides earlier this week.
It has been just over three weeks since Washington and Tehran signed an agreement aimed at turning a months-long ceasefire into a durable peace. However, the trading of fire for a second consecutive day on Thursday threatened a return to full-scale regional war.
Trump's Statement on Truth Social
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Friday.
Earlier this week, at a NATO summit, Trump also declared the ceasefire over, but said of Tehran: "It's just a waste of time dealing with them." He also called Iranian officials "scum" and "sick people."
Diplomatic Stalemate
US and Iranian delegations have held one round of direct talks following the signing of their memorandum of understanding in Switzerland, as well as indirect negotiations in Qatar. However, there has been no sign of diplomatic progress since.
Qatar's Mediation Role
Despite Iran saying it had launched attacks on US assets in Qatar, and the Gulf state accusing Tehran of attacking one of its tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, Doha appeared on Friday to back continued diplomacy.
Iran's Tasnim agency reported that the Qatari delegation was in Tehran to "try to reinforce Qatar's role as a mediator following events on Tuesday," when Doha condemned Tehran for what it called an "unacceptable assault" on one of its LNG tankers. Iran denied the accusation.
Egypt Calls for Return to Negotiations
In a call with his Qatari counterpart on Friday, Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called for a "return to the negotiating table."
Source
EuractivWestern
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