The US could strike Iran again this weekend, the American press writes / Trump has changed his schedule, Tehran accuses
The American government is considering new attacks against Iran, according to Axios and CBS sources, in the context in which Donald Trump changed his schedule to stay in Washington this weekend, fueling speculation about a possible resumption of hostilities against Tehran, reports AFP.
According to CBS News sources, the US military is preparing for possible new attacks during the weekend.
On Friday morning, the American president gathered his closest advisers to discuss the war in Iran, reports Axios.
No decision has been made yet, CBS points out.
The United States struck Iran's nuclear facilities last summer on a Saturday, attacks on Iran began this year on February 28, also a Saturday. This weekend is an extended one in the US because Monday is Memorial Day, when the stock markets are also closed.
At noon, Donald Trump announced that he would not be able to attend the wedding of his son, Don Jr., and that he had to stay in Washington instead of going to one of his golf courses for “state business reasons.”
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said “the president always retains all of his options, and the Pentagon's job is to be prepared to implement whatever decision the commander-in-chief may make.”
“The president has been clear about the consequences if Iran does not reach a deal,” Kelly said
Iran accuses the US of sabotaging the negotiations
Since the April 8 truce, Donald Trump has had a vacillating stance on a possible resumption of hostilities with Tehran. He threatened several times to resume fighting, but did not follow through on these threats.
Iran accused the United States on Saturday of sabotaging talks to end the war with “excessive demands”, a shift in agenda by Donald Trump while fueling speculation of a resumption of hostilities.
In a conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the head of Iranian diplomacy, Abbas Araghchi, complained about the “contradictory positions and repeated excessive demands” of the United States, Iran's Tasnim and Fars news agencies reported.
These factors are “disrupting the negotiation process conducted under the auspices of Pakistan,” Araghchi said.
“Despite deep mistrust of the United States, the Islamic Republic of Iran has engaged in this diplomatic process with a spirit of responsibility and utmost seriousness, and is striving to reach a reasonable and fair outcome,” he added, however.
Negotiators from Pakistan and Qatar went to Tehran
Pakistan's army chief, Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran on Friday as part of the mediation led by his country. According to the Irna news agency, he discussed late into the night between Friday and Saturday with Mr. Araghchi about “the latest diplomatic efforts and initiatives aimed at preventing further escalation.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei had previously said that differences between Tehran and Washington remain “deep”.
The issues related to the end of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the American blockade of Iranian ports remain, according to him, “in suspense”, as well as the nuclear file.
Qatar, hard hit by the war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, and other countries are simultaneously stepping up their alternative mediation efforts. Tehran confirmed the visit of a delegation from Qatar on Friday.
