"Theater Diplomacy": Iranian Parliament Speaker's Dig at Trump

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked Trump in a tweet, calling US policy "theater diplomacy" and attacking the use of bullying and fake news. Nour News also criticized Trump's "unusual haste" to declare success in Hormuz. An Iranian source revealed a plan with Oman to manage vessel traffic in the strait.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Thursday evening attacked US President Donald Trump in a tweet, mocking what he called "theater diplomacy" – a constant zigzag between military threats and attempts at dialogue. "A massive attack is on the way... wait, never mind, they want to negotiate," Ghalibaf quipped, adding that "using bullying, broken promises, and fake news as leverage is a failed strategy." He called on the US and its allies to "recognize the facts and honor commitments," and concluded: "We don't need more theater." Iran's Nour News agency also attacked Trump, questioning whether he is rushing to declare "success on the Strait of Hormuz issue" to implement a real agreement or to "sell the good news to the American public" before the congressional elections. A source at the Iranian Foreign Ministry told Fars News that under a plan being pursued by Iran and Oman, entry into the strait would be via the northern corridor and exit via the southern, and after a specified period all traffic would move to the central corridor, with entry managed by Iran and exit jointly with Oman.