Washington, United States. President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections “into infinity,” while Tehran said it had made no such concession, highlighting uncertainty over the durability of a fragile peace deal reached last week.
The United States and Iran also gave differing accounts of other key elements of their framework agreement following a first round of negotiations in Switzerland on Monday.
Conflicting claims after first talks
Trump and Iranian officials offered conflicting versions of the negotiations, including over financial incentives for Iran, control of the Strait of Hormuz and Israel’s parallel war in Lebanon, all major parts of the framework deal aimed at ending the war.
Despite the differences, Trump said the negotiations were progressing well. “We’re getting along quite well,” he said at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Travel curbs eased for Iran team
The United States relaxed travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup soccer team, allowing it to travel from Tijuana, Mexico, to Seattle two days before its next match instead of one.
Domestic political pressure grows
Signs of weakening domestic support for the war emerged as Trump’s poll numbers fell and the Republican-controlled Senate voted to halt the conflict in a largely symbolic move that underscored divisions within his party.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 35% of Americans believe the United States is now in a weaker position with Iran than before the war, while 23% said it is in a stronger position.
The Senate vote of 50-48 backed a resolution passed by the House of Representatives this month, reflecting growing concern, including among some Republicans, about the conflict that began on February 28.
It was the first time both chambers of Congress had passed a resolution directing a president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities under the War Powers Act, although it was not immediately clear what effect the votes might have on the conflict.
Strait traffic resumes
Although the prospects for a lasting peace remain uncertain, the initial agreement between Washington and Tehran has allowed traffic to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, which typically carries one-fifth of global energy supply.
Oil prices and fuel costs
Trump said on Wednesday he had instructed the Justice Department to examine oil companies for not reducing pump prices in line with falling crude costs.
