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US, Iran Trade Strikes as Trump Sees 'Smooth' Talks Ahead

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • U.S. President Trump stated that negotiations with Iran are progressing "very smoothly" and a deal could be reached this weekend.
  • The U.S. and Iran have accused each other of violating a fragile ceasefire, with both sides launching airstrikes.
  • Tensions escalated as Iran claimed responsibility for attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, targeting U.S. military bases, while the U.S. bombed an Iranian communications tower.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Tuesday, stating that negotiations with Iran are proceeding "very smoothly" and a potential agreement could be reached by the weekend. This development comes amid escalating tensions, with both Washington and Tehran accusing each other of violating a fragile ceasefire and launching retaliatory airstrikes.

I heard the negotiations themselves are going very smoothly.

— Donald TrumpU.S. President commenting on the progress of talks with Iran.

Trump indicated his preference to separate the ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran from the conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. "I want to separate them, I want them to be different things, because they are indeed two different matters," he told reporters at the White House.

It might be reached by the weekend.

— Donald TrumpU.S. President on the potential timeline for an agreement with Iran.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any Israeli attack on Beirut would trigger a full-scale Middle East war. He also noted that despite open communication channels with the U.S., there has been "no substantial progress" in talks to end the Middle East conflict. This statement followed an Iranian missile and drone attack on Kuwait International Airport, which killed one Indian national and injured 63 others, the first fatal attack since the ceasefire began. Bahrain's military also condemned Iran's actions, reporting the interception of missiles and drones on the same day.

I want to separate them, I want them to be different things, because they are indeed two different matters.

— Donald TrumpU.S. President on separating Lebanon conflict talks from U.S.-Iran war talks.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the attacks, framing them as retaliation for earlier U.S. strikes. In response, U.S. forces bombed a communications tower on Iran's Qeshm Island. Kuwait has lodged a strong protest with Iran and announced the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats. Iran, however, stated its targets were Kuwaiti U.S. military bases and the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.

any attack on the Lebanese capital Beirut by the Israeli army will lead to a full-scale war in the Middle East.

— Abbas AraghchiIranian Foreign Minister warning about potential Israeli actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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