Araghchi: “Lack of Trust” Biggest Obstacle; Trump Weighs Chinese Refinery Sanctions
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in New Delhi that “a lack of trust” remains the biggest obstacle in negotiations to end the war with the United States, the Associated Press reported. President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he was considering whether to lift U.S. sanctions on Chinese refineries buying Iranian oil, telling reporters: “We talked about that and I’m going to make a decision over the next few days.” China is the biggest buyer of Iranian crude; the decision would materially change the economics of the wartime blockade.
Araghchi also said Tehran had received messages from Washington indicating willingness to continue talks but that Iran “does not trust” the United States, which has curtailed previous rounds by launching air strikes. Iran is “prepared for a resumption of fighting as well as for diplomatic solutions”, he added. President Trump warned from Beijing that he was “not going to be much more patient” with Tehran. Oil rose around 2% to about $108 a barrel; U.S. Treasury yields hit their highest in around a year as traders priced in the risk of renewed strikes. China’s foreign ministry restricted itself to saying the conflict “should never have happened, has no reason to continue”.