President Donald Trump said on Saturday that it was studying a new offer from the Iranian regime aimed at ending warbut was not very optimistic about the success of the proposal.
“I will soon review the plan that Iran just sent us, but I cannot imagine that it is acceptable as they have not yet paid a high enough price for what they have done to humanity and the world over the past 47 years,” the president wrote in a statement. Truth post on social media.
Shortly before the message went live, Trump answered questions from reporters on the tarmac at Palm Beach International Airport about the negotiations. The president said he would soon let reporters know whether he accepted or rejected the Iranian offer.
Friday, Trump said he was “not satisfied” with the proposal, but said Saturday he would review the details in more detail.
“They talked to me about the concept of the deal,” Trump said. “They’re going to give me the exact wording now.”
Iran’s latest proposal would open maritime transport in the Strait of Hormuz and end the American blockade, while postponing negotiations on Iranian nuclear programs until later.
Trump’s comments come as he considers how to proceed in the weeks-long standoff. Military officials informed him Thursday on options for the Strait of Hormuz and on the ground in Iran. Trump left open the possibility of resuming strikes.
“Do we want to destroy them and be done with them forever, or do we want to try to make a deal. Those are the options,” Trump told reporters Friday, adding that he would “rather not” resume the strikes.
Iran’s proposal to open the Gulf to some ships comes after Iran blocked virtually all ships except its own from the Gulf for more than two months. The United States has also imposed its own blockade of the strait since April 13.
Trump on Saturday called the U.S. blockade “friendly,” telling reporters that “no one disputes it.”
The U.S. Navy uses more than 100 fighter and surveillance aircraft, two carrier strike groups and more than a dozen ships to enforce its blockade of Iran. Last month, a Navy destroyer seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that had attempted to break the blockade.
Trump’s comments come amid increased pressure from the Capitol to gain approval for the conflict. Trump insisted that because a temporary ceasefire went into effect on April 8, he does not need congressional authorization continue military operations in Iran.
According to the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the president must ask Congress for authorization to start a war after a military operation reaches its 60th day of action. American military operations in Iran reached this level earlier this week.
The Senate voted for the sixth time Thursday to reject a war powers resolution that would end military operations in Iran until Congress votes to approve it.
The resolution failed by a vote of 47 to 50, with all Senate Democrats except Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voting in favor of the measure. Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky broke with their party to vote “yes” on the resolution.
