Trump says renewed Iran strikes ‘highly unlikely’ as US forms new task force

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said the likelihood of renewed strikes on Iran is “highly unlikely” as long as progress continues in diplomatic talks, while warning that Washington could still take military action if necessary. In a phone interview with CNN, Trump said de-escalation depended on whether Iran signed a “very strong deal.” He also claimed that US forces had identified potential targets, including 38 bridges, should fighting resume. Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced the creation of a new task force, Task Force Iron Gate, aimed at Iran. The roughly 20-member team of civilian and military personnel will work to disrupt Iranian land routes and Caspian Sea transit used for advanced weapons, sanctioned materials and illicit financial flows. CENTCOM said the task force would reinforce the ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports. The US military claims the blockade has prevented Iran from exporting crude oil worth more than $25 billion. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said mediation between Tehran and Washington had been temporarily suspended after the results of the US midterm elections. He said mediators had not travelled to Iran for several days following the electoral “shock.” Tehran says nuclear negotiations cannot advance unless the United States lifts sanctions, unfreezes Iranian assets, pays war reparations, ends its maritime blockade and halts regional operations. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the new US task force would fail, while Iranian officials said recent reported strikes near Qeshm Island had caused no damage to homes, businesses or key infrastructure.