Welcome to our live coverage of US politics and the war with Iran.
Donald Trump has raged at anyone doubting his negotiating skills on Iran, calling them “fools”.
“I laugh at all of the Dumocrats (his new favourite insult for Democrats), RINOS (his insult for Republicans who don’t agree wholly with him), and Fools who know nothing about the potential deal I am making with Iran,” he said on social media on Monday, US time.
He added: “The deal with Iran will either be a great and meaningful one, or there will be no deal”.
Nonetheless, there are mixed messages about whether a deal between the US and Iran to end the conflict is near.
While Donald Trump touted a deal was close on the weekend, Tehran has now said a deal is not “imminent” although talks are taking place and US Secretary of Sate Marco Rubio said dealing with Iran can take “a little while”.
There are reports a deal will see a ceasefire extended to 60 days and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. But the thorny issue of Iran’s nuclear materials could be kicked into later talks.
“The focus of the negotiations is on ending the war and at this stage, there is no discussion about nuclear details,” Iran regime spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday, local time.
Yet a Trump Administration officials said on Sunday “no dust, no dollars” – essentially that Iran will get no sanctions relief without giving up its uranium.
Read on for more updates.
