Trump accuses Iran of ‘total violation’ of ceasefire, threatens new attacks

 At least two ships reported coming under fire while approaching the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, an incident the US president called a ceasefire violation by Iran.

US President Donald Trump threatened to target Iran’s bridges and power plants if it fails to accept a deal to end the war. (EPA Images pic)

WASHINGTON:

 US President Donald Trump accused Iran on Sunday of a “total violation” of the two countries’ ceasefire for firing on ships near the Strait of Hormuz, and renewed a threat to wipe out Iran’s bridges and power plants unless it accepted his terms.

With shipping still stuck in the strait two days after Trump and Iran announced it would open, Trump said his envoys would arrive in Pakistan on Monday evening, prepared to hold more talks.

“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran,” he posted on social media. “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”

Global oil prices fell and stock markets surged on Friday when Iran first announced it would reopen the strait, which it had effectively closed to all shipping apart from its own since Trump and Israel launched the war on Feb 28.

But after Trump said he would continue a blockade of Iranian shipping, Tehran said on Saturday it was keeping the strait closed. At least two ships reported they had been fired upon approaching the strait on Saturday.

“Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement!” Trump wrote in Sunday morning’s post. “That wasn’t nice, was it?” - FMT