Discussions on a peace deal between the United States and Iran appear to be at an impasse, and US President Donald Trump described the ceasefire between the two sides as unbelievably weak. He described Iran's response to the latest proposal from the US as a piece of garbage that he didn't finish reading. Iran says it has not made excessive demands and says the US is the one trying to impose unreasonable demands.
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TRANSCRIPT
A blunt assessment from US President Donald Trump, on the strength of a ceasefire with Iran, and state of negotiations on a peace deal.
It's unbelievably weak, I would say. I would call it the weakest right now. After reading that piece of garbage they sent us, I didn't even finish reading it. They said, I'm not gonna waste my time reading it, I would see it's one of the weakest, right now, it's on life support. They understand, these are all medical people. Dr. Oz, life support is not a good thing, do you agree? I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support, where the doctor walks in and says, Sir, your loved one has approximately a 1 percent chance of living."
Spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baghaei, says Iran is not demanding excessive concessions from the United States.
Farsi then English VO: “Is our proposal for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz an excessive demand? Is an important issue such as establishing security and peace throughout the entire region, including Lebanon, an irresponsible demand?”
He says it's the US making the unreasonable demands.
“However, unfortunately, the American side still insists on its one-sided views and unreasonable demands, based on mindsets that are largely shaped by the Zionist regime."
In a press conference from the Oval Office, President Trump says Iran earlier promised to give the United States its nuclear material.
REPORTER: "So you said they agreed to allow the removal of all their enriched uranium?"
TRUMP: "Well they did two days ago. They didn't. Okay, they did two days ago. They said you're gonna have to take it. We were gonna go with them but they changed their mind because they didn't put it in the paper. So when they sent us this document that we waited four days for that should have taken 10 minutes to do. Very simple. We get that they guarantee no nuclear weapons for a very long period of time and a couple of other minor things, but they just can't get there, so they agree with us, and then they take it back."
Despite the ceasefire agreed last month, both sides have exchanged fire in recent days, and fighting has also flared between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Speaking to American network CBS's 60 Minutes program, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu says a critical goal is getting nuclear material out of Iran.
Speaking with Major Garrett, he also says the war in Lebanon should remain separate from the war in Iran.
Major Garrett, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent:
"Is it possible, Mr. Prime Minister, that the war with Iran could end, but the war with Hezbollah could continue, that this would be separate and divergent battlefields?"Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister:
"They should be. What Iran would like to do is to say, no. You know, if we achieve a ceasefire here, we want a ceasefire."
Garrett:
"They do. Clearly."
Netanyahu:
"You know why? Because they want Hezbollah to stay there and continue to torture Lebanon and continue to hold its people hostage and continue..."
Garrett:
"Will you accept that?"
Netanyahu:
"No."
Hostilities between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon have continued despite a truce announced last month.
Lebanon's Health Ministry says 74 people have been killed in Israeli strikes along the border with Israel in recent days.
Israel announced 47-year-old Warrant Officer Alexander Glovanyov was killed in a Hezbollah attack at the weekend.
US President Donald Trump heads to China this week where he's expected to ask President Xi Jinping to pressure Iran into making concessions and end the current limbo.
“But a lot of good things can happen. You know, we'll be talking about I mean, he'll bring up Taiwan, I think, more than I will. But I think that a discussion will be a little bit about a little bit about energy and about the very beautiful country of Iran.”
Beijing buys most of Iran's oil, with some estimates putting it at 80 or 90 per cent of the country's shipped oil.
