US ‘negotiating with itself’ after Trump claims Tehran wants deal — Iranian military

The US is “negotiating with itself”, a spokesman for the Iranian military has said, adding: “Someone like us will never come to terms with someone like you” according to BBC.

The comments came after Donald Trump insisted Iran wants a deal “so badly”, saying on Tuesday that Iran gave the US a “very big present worth a tremendous amount of money”.

Unconfirmed reports also say the US has handed over a 15-point peace plan, which includes Iran dismantling nuclear facilities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

At the same time, the Pentagon is preparing to deploy some troops to Iran, according to CBS News, although it has not been reported precisely where or when, and the White House has not commented.

Meanwhile, Iran’s mission to the United Nations says “non-hostile vessels” can pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with some ships from China, India and Pakistan already using the route.

Israel and Iran are continuing to exchange strikes, while six people have been killed in southern Lebanon, according to state media.