Iran Rejects Nuclear Compromise, Threatens Preemptive Strikes

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi today (Tuesday) denied U.S. reports that Iran is prepared to compromise on the nuclear issue. Araghchi said: "There has been no change whatsoever in our position on the nuclear issue. I firmly deny that Iran has shown flexibility."

In addition, the Khorasan newspaper, which is affiliated with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, reported that "if negotiations fail because of disagreements over the nuclear issue, Iran may move to its 'second plan,' which includes shifting to preemptive attacks." According to the newspaper, such a move is intended to lead to a period of high-intensity war with the United States even before the end of the U.S. midterm elections.

Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, added: "The United States will inevitably leave this region, and the days of the Zionist regime are numbered. In the end, we and our neighbors are the ones who remain here, face to face. That day will be a day of regret."

U.S. President Donald Trump posted this evening: "Iran will not have nuclear weapons. Iran is collapsing; they are failing badly. This will end soon, and oil prices will fall quickly."

Meanwhile, an Iranian military spokesperson issued a statement offering a cash reward of 10 billion tomans (about $40,000) to any Iranian who manages to capture an American soldier, dead or alive.

On the other hand, the United Arab Emirates’ representative to the UN said that Iran has occupied three islands belonging to his country. He said the islands are Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa in the Arabian Gulf.

This evening, maritime security company Ambrey reported that a commercial vessel was struck and caught fire while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The circumstances of the incident and those responsible have not yet been clarified.