US’ ‘excessive demands’ blocking truce talks: Iran
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres that Washington’s “excessive demands” are the main obstacle to ongoing peace negotiations, Al Jazeera reported.
During a telephonic conversation with Guterres, Araghchi said the US had repeatedly undermined diplomacy through broken promises, contradictory positions, and military aggression, while asserting that Iran remains engaged in the truce talks.
Guterres, according to Al Jazeera sources, rejected the use of force against the sovereignty of any state and called for diplomacy to restore stability in the region.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s administration was on Friday (local time) preparing for a fresh round of military strikes against Iran, sources with direct knowledge of the planning told CBS News.
However, no final decision on the strikes had been taken, the report said.
Several members of the US military and intelligence community are also said to have cancelled their Memorial Day weekend plans following reports of the possible strikes.
According to CBS News, Trump had originally planned to spend the Memorial Day weekend at his golf property in New Jersey, but is now expected to remain at the White House.
Trump also said on Friday (local time) that he would miss the wedding of his son, Donald Trump Jr., citing ongoing international developments.
Confirming that he would not attend the wedding of Donald Trump Jr. and Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson, Trump cited “circumstances pertaining to government” without elaborating further. He added that it was important for him to remain in Washington, D.C., “during this important period of time.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “While I very much wanted to be with my son, Don Jr., and the newest member of the Trump Family, his soon to be wife, Bettina, circumstances pertaining to Government, and my love for the United States of America, do not allow me to do so. I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this important period of time. Congratulations to Don and Bettina!”
