US wants same deal with Iran; Trump: 'The strait will open soon, embarrassing that they deny talks'

The US expects an agreement with Iran similar to the June memorandum of understanding: a ceasefire first, then talks on the nuclear issue. Trump threatens that if no deal is signed, Iran will be attacked hard and the strait will be opened by force. Meanwhile, American reports reveal a severe shortage of interceptor missiles, and Tehran denies the existence of talks.

The US wants to reach an arrangement with Iran similar to the June memorandum of understanding, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal. Under the arrangement, a ceasefire would first be achieved, which would also include the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and then negotiations would be conducted on 'heavy' issues such as the nuclear program. President Trump, who declared that the strait was supposed to have opened yesterday, said in an interview with Fox News: 'The strait will open soon, or they will be attacked hard and then it will open.' He criticized Iran's denial of talks: 'It's a bit embarrassing. You say we have great talks, and then someone in Iran says we didn't meet. That's a lie.' According to a CNN report, a return to war would be accompanied by difficulties for the US, as the US military has consumed nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptor missiles, and the stock of Patriot interceptors stands at about half the amount at the start of the war. The AP reported that any agreement on opening Hormuz would require the removal of the American blockade on Iran's ports, but the US might oppose this. The dispute over opening the strait was the main reason for the collapse of the June memorandum, when Iran continued to attack ships in the southern route. Iran claims ownership of Hormuz and demands passage fees, viewing it as a strategic pressure lever.