- The US Central Command has sent over 20 warships to the Middle East to support military missions, including strict enforcement of the US blockade against Iran, with the USS Ross among the vessels.
- Mike Waltz, US ambassador to the UN, said Iran is talking about 'cash, cash, cash' because they will 'absorb the bombings,' and that the squeeze from frozen assets and the blockade will eventually get Iranians to move.
- Iran's foreign minister Abbas Aragchi said there are no direct talks with the US, but negotiations with Oman are continuing on the Strait of Hormuz, and it was reported Iran would be given partial control over traffic in the strait under a new deal.
- The Wall Street Journal reported that the US president was seeking to extricate the military confrontation with Iran as the conflict becomes difficult to resolve.
The U.S. Central Command has dispatched over 20 warships to the Strait of Hormuz to enforce a blockade against Iran, as tensions rise amid negotiations. The USS Ross is among the vessels deployed to support military missions in the region.14
As of August 9, CENTCOM reported it has redirected 55 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2 to ensure compliance with the blockade.
Iranian officials are demanding an end to the blockade, lifting of sanctions, and compensation for damages from U.S. attacks. They also seek the release of frozen assets and cessation of military threats against their regional allies.
Mike Waltz, U.S. ambassador to the UN, emphasized that Iran's negotiations focus on financial access, stating, "They are constantly asking for access to cash, access to their assets that we have frozen… that’s the squeeze. That, coupled with the blockade, that’s what’s going to eventually get the Iranians to move."23
President Donald Trump mentioned that the U.S. is "low-keying it" with Iran, indicating a semi-negotiation stance while observing Iran's economic struggles, including high inflation and financial instability.
Despite these discussions, Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Aragchi, clarified that there are no direct talks with the U.S., although negotiations with Oman are ongoing regarding traffic control in the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier reports suggested that the U.S. is seeking to de-escalate military confrontations with Iran as the situation becomes increasingly complex.
“Iran's foreign minister Abbas Aragchi says no direct talks with the US, but negotiations with Oman continue, with reports of partial Iranian control over strait traffic. The Wall Street Journal reports the US president seeks to extricate the military confrontation as the conflict becomes difficult to resolve.”
theweek.in
