Trump says Iran talks held on Tuesday, strikes to continue until deal is reached

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his administration had been in contact with Iranian officials earlier in the day, and said attacks on the country will continue until it agrees to a deal.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump said his representatives had spoken to Iranian officials as recently as “an hour ago,” and that “they wanted to make a deal.”

He said strikes against Iran will “continue until I say that’s enough,” and said Iran “better make a deal, you’re not going to have anything left.”
When questioned about Kharg Island, Trump said attacking Iran’s oil infrastructure would be saved for last, but would ultimately be carried out. Trump also raised the possibility of more attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, specifically Pickaxe Mountain.

Trump’s comments came shortly after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had commenced strikes against Iran for a fourth consecutive day, with the attacks aimed at degrading Iranian capabilities to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM also reinstated a naval blockade against Iran, after Trump said earlier in the day that the Strait of Hormuz would be open to “all ship traffic except for Iran.”

Trump had withdrawn plans for a 20% toll on shipping through Hormuz, citing talks with Middle East leadership.

Iran had launched retaliatory strikes against U.S. bases in several Middle Eastern countries in response to the latest U.S. aggression, and had denied claims that the Strait of Hormuz was open.
Tehran was also seen continuing to attack commercial vessels in and around Hormuz.

The latest round of hostilities stem from Iranian attacks on commercial ships in Hormuz, as Tehran asserted that crossings of the key waterway could only take place through routes it had designated.

The U.S. had launched fresh attacks against Iran over its strikes on commercial vessels, drawing retaliation from the country and largely undermining a June memorandum of understanding between the two.