WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said he has offered Iran a “good deal” and warned that the United States could resume military action if an agreement is not reached.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said there was alignment between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the Iran issue, adding that Tehran would face consequences if diplomacy fails.
He also said the United States would eventually need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though there was no urgency to do so.
Trump said he had a “very good meeting” with Chinese President Xi Jinping and discussed key global issues, describing Xi as a “good man.”
The remarks come after Trump said earlier that he had nearly approved a strike on Iran but decided to delay it at the last moment following appeals from several regional leaders involved in ongoing negotiations.
He said the US was fully prepared to carry out the strike, which would have ended an informal ceasefire arrangement between Washington and Tehran.
Trump added that the decision to postpone the operation came after leaders in the Middle East urged additional time for diplomatic talks.
Pakistan has reportedly played a mediating role in facilitating communication between the United States and Iran, as the ceasefire arrangement continues to hold amid broader diplomatic efforts.
More read, U.S. Senate votes to advance Iran war powers resolution, defying Trump
Earlier, The Senate voted to advance a resolution blocking President Donald Trump from ordering further military strikes against Iran, as four Republicans joined Democrats in a procedural rebuke of the White House nearly three months into an unpopular war.
According to reports, the 50-47 vote to discharge a war powers resolution from committee marked a breakthrough for Democrats, though the measure faces significant hurdles before it could force Trump to end the conflict Congress never authorized.
Voting with Democrats were Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the sole Democrat to oppose the measure.
