WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said there was a "good chance" of a deal with Tehran on Monday shortly after promising strikes on Iran’s power plants and bridges on Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
In an expletive-laden post Sunday morning, Trump promised the “crazy b-------” would be “living in Hell” if the waterway isn’t opened to marine traffic.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” Trump said in a Truth Social post, referencing the key shipping lane that Tehran has effectively closed since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran more than a month ago.
“Open the F-----’ Strait, you crazy b-------, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH!,” Trump said, ending his Easter morning post with: “Praise be to Allah.”
But in an interview with Fox News shortly after, he said he believes there is a "good chance" of making a deal with Iran on Monday, ahead of his deadline for Tehran to reopen the strait.
"I think there is a good chance tomorrow, they are negotiating now," the president said.
"If they don't make a deal and fast, I'm considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil," he added.
The president separately said he would hold a news conference on Monday in the Oval Office, after the US military rescued two US pilots whose aircraft were downed in Iran.
Trump had previously threatened strikes two weeks ago, but extended the deadline for Iran to reopen the waterway twice, claiming there were positive signs in negotiations with the Iranians.
But there have been few public signs of progress in a diplomatic off-ramp to the war.
Iran showed no signs of backing down, striking economic and infrastructure targets in neighboring Gulf Arab countries.
- AFP and AP
