Mahdavi Raja, Iranian ambassador to Nigeria, has debunked US President Donald Trump’s claim of “very good and productive” negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Earlier, Trump claimed the discussions led to his decision to instruct the Department of War to temporarily halt military strikes
against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period.
He added that the said negotiations would continue
throughout the week, basing the duration of the halt on the success of the
“ongoing meetings”.
But Raja rebuffed Trump’s comments.
“We have noted the remarks attributed to President Trump
regarding ‘productive talks’ with Iran. However, I must emphasize clearly that
no negotiations of any kind have taken place between Iran and the United States
regarding energy infrastructure or any other matter,” the ambassador told
TheCable on Monday.
“I want to emphasize that there have been absolutely no
talks between Tehran and Washington, and no negotiations of any kind have
occurred between Iran and the United States.
“These statements were in fact made to influence the energy
market and justify a temporary withdrawal from hostile actions against Iran.”
Oil prices fell by more than 13 percent after Trump’s comments.
Last week, they had risen above $100 per barrel as Iran’s
attacks of vessels had choked passage on the Strait of Hormuz.
On Saturday, Trump said he would “hit and obliterate”
Iranian power plants – “starting with the biggest one first” – if the critical
waterway was not fully open to shipping within 48 hours. The ultimatum would
have expired today.
In response, Iran warned it would completely close the
Strait of Hormuz if Trump carried out his threat to bomb Tehran’s power plants.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) added that
“power plants of regional countries hosting US bases will be legitimate
targets”.
Multiple countries were reported to have ramped up
diplomatic efforts after the exchange between both countries.
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