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Murphy backs a bad deal
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy told NBC News that President Donald Trump has "lost this war" with Iran, arguing that continued fighting is weakening Washington while strengthening Tehran.
“Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy said US President Donald Trump has "lost this war" with Iran”
Murphy said he would support even a "bad deal" to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the cost of restoring traffic through the strategic waterway is increasing as negotiations remain stalled.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that there were no direct talks between Tehran and Washington, and insisted that the Strait of Hormuz would not reopen until the US meets Iran's demands, including ending its naval blockade.
Murphy tied his position to rising prices, saying, "The war needs to end because every day that the war continues, America gets weaker, Iran gets stronger, and people here in the United States get screwed as prices go up and up and up."
Trump signals economic pressure
CNN reported that President Donald Trump signaled an emphasis on increasing economic pressure on Iran, saying that Washington is “low-keying” negotiations with the country.
In the same CNN account, Tehran said it was not engaging in talks with the US, while CNN political and national security analyst David Sanger said Trump is looking for any way to open the Strait of Hormuz, “declare that he’s won his victory and leave.”
CNN also said the Pentagon has asked the US defense industry to ramp up production as stockpiles run low during the Iran war, and that the issue has frustrated Trump as he seeks to maintain leverage over Tehran.
Retired US Air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton said a “considerable number of people in the administration” echo the view that the war with Iran needs to end, and that munitions stockpiles necessary to defend US troops have a “considerable impact” on Washington’s ability to conduct military operations.
Rezaei elevated as conditions harden
CNN said Iran’s supreme leader replaced his national security chief, appointing Moshen Rezaei, a veteran Revolutionary Guards commander, as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
“appointing Moshen Rezaei, a regime stalwart and veteran Revolutionary Guards commander”
CNN reported that Rezaei has voiced skepticism about talks with the United States, and said he recently described Trump as suffering from “a lack of wisdom and prudence.”
In a separate report, LaSexta said Tehran will not open the Strait of Hormuz until the United States finishes its attacks on Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq, and that the Iranian Supreme National Security Council reiterated it will only reopen the strait when it sees the completion of U.S. and Israeli military operations and the lifting of sanctions and payment of war-damage compensations.
LaSexta also said the United States Army asserted it has diverted a total of 55 commercial ships, disabled two vessels and boarded two others, within the framework of the naval blockade, and that CENTCOM has more than 20 American warships deployed in the Middle East to support missions including strict enforcement of the blockade.
