Trump shifts between diplomacy and threats in Iran standoff
The US president shifted positions twice in a day, first saying talks are in their 'final stages', then warning of a possible military operation against Iran 'within hours'. Analysts say the inconsistency is weakening the diplomatic process.
According to Al Jazeera, Trump said on the morning of 21 May from the Oval Office that negotiations with Iran are in their 'final stages' and that peace is close. The same afternoon, however, in a second statement from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, he warned that a military operation against Iran could begin 'within hours'.
Iran's presidential spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said Tehran expects 'a consistent stance from the US president' and that Trump's remarks were 'sending contradictory signals'. The mediation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar and Oman are continuing despite Trump's contradictory statements.
Council on Foreign Relations analyst Suzanne Maloney commented: 'Trump's wavering puts the negotiation channel at risk; every threat erodes Tehran's belief that diplomacy is genuinely on the table.' Oil prices fluctuated by $4.2 per barrel during the day after Trump's statements. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said the bloc will make active efforts to keep negotiations going.
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