There are reports that U.S. President Donald Trump is discussing Iran's proposal for an end to the war with his aides, but maintains a key 'red line' such as giving up nuclear weapons.
According to Bloomberg News on the 27th, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said at a briefing that President Trump held a national security team meeting at the White House to discuss Iran's proposal.
"The president's red lines with respect to Iran are very clear," Levitt said, explaining that Trump will soon express his position on the issue.
The remarks came after reports that Iran had proposed an "interim agreement" that included the U.S. lifting the blockade of Iranian ports instead of Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The proposal is said to include putting off complex issues such as the nuclear program to follow-up negotiations.
However, Trump and his staff are cautious about the proposal, especially regarding the nuclear issue, the outlet said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Russia the day before and met with President Vladimir Putin, stressing the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, saying, "The Iranian people have endured and will overcome attacks from the United States."
Iran is said to have conveyed its position to mediation countries such as Pakistan that an end to the conflict is possible if the U.S. lifts the blockade on Iran's seas and stops military action.
The U.S., on the other hand, sees the nuclear issue as a key condition for any agreement, and Trump has said he would maintain a maritime blockade without resolving Iran's nuclear program.
[Photo by AFP = Yonhap News]
Shin Hyun Wook (woogi@kbs.co.kr )
There is hardly any additional news about negotiations with Iran.
Still, if the above information is true, we might see a somewhat more forward-looking attitude from Iran.
