08/04/26
Trump defends concessions to Iran
Washington, 8 April (Argus) — US president Donald Trump on Wednesday said his
decision to allow Iran to at least temporarily maintain control over the strait
of Hormuz and to discuss full sanctions relief for Tehran was a "big day for
World Peace". The US and Iran late on Tuesday Washington time announced a
two-week ceasefire, during which the two countries will hold negotiations to
finalize a peace agreement. The two countries' starting negotiating positions
are far apart. But Trump confirmed at least one point demanded by Iran, relating
to its chokehold on navigation through Hormuz. "For a period of two weeks, safe
passage through the strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with
Iran's armed forces and with due consideration of technical limitations," Iran's
foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday. Trump reposted the statement in
full. Vessel traffic through the strait of Hormuz has yet to rise since the US
and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire, as shipowners wait for clarity on
security arrangements and insurance cover for transits. Additional war risk
premiums for transits through the Mideast Gulf, the strait of Hormuz and the Red
sea are not expected to ease immediately despite a ceasefire announcement,
market participants said. And energy infrastructure in Iran and the Mideast Gulf
states remained under attack in the hours after the ceasefire was announced.
Rather than clarify questions over the status of the strait of Hormuz, Trump's
statements only added to the confusion. On Wednesday morning, Trump asserted
that there will be a "joint control" over the strait and that the US "will be
helping with the traffic buildup in the strait of Hormuz". Iran's supreme
national security council on Tuesday outlined a 10-point peace proposal, which
included enshrining its control over Hormuz, lifting all sanctions on Iran,
accepting of its right to nuclear enrichment, withdrawing of all US forces from
the region and ending Israel's incursion into Lebanon. Trump in a rambling
social media point on Tuesday evening lashed out at CNN for reporting details of
Iran's 10-point plan as described by Tehran. But in a Wednesday social media
post, Trump acknowledged at least one other point demanded by Iran: "We are, and
will be, talking Tariff and Sanctions relief with Iran," Trump said. The US has
a 15-point counter-proposal, with provisions directly contravening the Iranian
position, including over its nuclear program. Trump's hawkish anti-Iran
loyalists in Congress appeared to be confused by his willingness to discuss
Iranian demands that his predecessors previously refused to even consider.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), who defended Trump's decision to go
to war with Iran without Congress' approval, said on Tuesday that Congress will
need to have a say in any peace agreement Trump signs with Iran. Trump on
Wednesday also threatened a 50pc tariff against any country that supplies Iran
with weapons, even though the US Supreme Court has curtailed his ability to
impose tariffs at will. Pentagon officials on Wednesday morning described the US
operation as overwhelmingly successful and asserted that the US had forced Iran
to capitulate. "Iran begged for this ceasefire and we all know it," defense
secretary Pete Hegseth said. "We congratulate all the people of Iran on this
victory," Iran's supreme national security council said on Tuesday. By Haik
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