Fars: The US has put forward new conditions for Iran

According to Fars, Washington demands that Tehran refuse any reparations and compensation from the United States, remove 400 kg of enriched uranium from Iran and transfer to the American side, leave only one nuclear facility in operation, and refuse to unfreeze even 25% of blocked Iranian assets.

At the same time, judging by the Fars publication, the US authorities also stated that a complete cessation of hostilities is possible only after negotiations are completed and an agreement is reached.

The agency notes that even if Tehran accepts these conditions, the threat of renewed American strikes will remain.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump called Iran’s latest response to the American initiative “completely unacceptable”; Washington rejected the 14-point “settlement plan” proposed by Tehran.

On Saturday, May 16, Trump again warned that Tehran faces “very difficult times” if it does not reach an agreement with Washington. “I have no idea whether Iran will sign the agreement,” Trump said. “If not, they’ll be in big trouble. Really big trouble. They better make a deal.”

On May 17, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he was planning a conversation with US President Donald Trump to discuss the situation around Iran.

The American edition of The New York Times, citing two Middle Eastern officials, wrote the day before that Israel and the United States are making the most intensive preparations (since the announcement of the ceasefire) for the resumption of attacks on Iran, trying to achieve readiness for them as early as next week. According to US officials, one option for the operation involves landing special forces in Iran to retrieve nuclear material buried in the rubble. Such a complex operation carries the risk of serious casualties because creating a perimeter around the operation area would require thousands of support troops who would likely have to engage Iranian ground forces, military officials told the newspaper. The troops could also be used to seize Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub in the Persian Gulf, the officials added. Another option includes more intensive bombing of Iranian military installations and infrastructure, US officials say.

Israel launched its campaign against Iran in conjunction with the United States with the goal of undermining the Iranian regime’s military capabilities, alienating threats posed by Iran – including its nuclear and ballistic missile programs – and “creating the conditions” for the Iranian people to overthrow the regime, as stated by military and other Israeli leaders. A ceasefire reached last month left those stated goals unfulfilled.