Iran: Trump Touts Imminent Decision on Strikes, Keeping Threats and Diplomacy in Play
Trump weighs deal or strikes
The remarks came amid a diplomatic push to avoid another major escalation. Trump spoke by phone with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about efforts to end the conflict, a U.S. official confirmed Friday.
Reports of fires at sea
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said Friday that two tankers had struck mines and caught fire. Maritime officials have not confirmed the reported incidents, and Trump has accused Iran of inventing attacks to raise energy prices.
The strait carried about one-fifth of global crude oil supplies before the war began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran has sought to control traffic through the passage, while the United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.
Fuel prices and political pressure
Energy experts told CBS News that U.S. gasoline prices could fall below $4 a gallon for the first time since July. Gas and diesel prices have declined over the past week.
Market expectations that midterm election results could increase pressure on the Trump administration to reach a deal helped drive the recent price drops, De Haan said. Global oil prices rose slightly after falling earlier in the week.
Regional diplomacy and security
In a statement, the Qatari emir’s office said the leaders discussed regional developments and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions. Qatar has played a key mediating role in negotiations with Iran.
Iranian leader Aliakbar Velayati said Friday that his country was among the main architects of Middle East security. He described Iran as a bridge between several regional areas and warned that routes bypassing it would be costly or unstable.
Saudi Arabia’s coalition backing Yemen’s government said its air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels at Najran. In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei discussed ties, including a possible pipeline for Russian gas imports to Iran.
Key points
- Trump said he would soon decide between a deal with Iran and further U.S. strikes.
- Qatar’s emir and Trump discussed diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions.
- Reports of tanker fires near the Strait of Hormuz have not been confirmed by maritime officials.
- Energy experts say U.S. gas prices could soon fall below $4 a gallon.