U.S. and Iran far from peace deal as war hits 100 days
(CNN, KYMA) - It's been 100 days since the U.S. and Israel first launched strikes on Iran, and despite efforts toward a peace deal, negotiations between the U.S. and Iran appear stalled.
"The main problem of negotiating with this administration is that you have to face so many changing positions. It makes the whole process very cumbersome, very unstable," said Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Baghaei says the sides are still talking, and President Donald Trump, sitting down for a taped interview with NBC's Meet the Press Sunday, sounded more optimistic about a possible deal.
"We're very close to having a deal and if we don't have a deal, we'll do it one way or another. Either way, we win," President Trump shared.
One major sticking point is Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which could be turned into nuclear weapons in days or weeks.
Trump has insisted Iran must give up the material, but now, he wants Iran to promise even more.
"What happens if they not develop but go out and purchase, they acquire. I want to put the word, 'If they buy or purchase or acquire,' we have to have that in there too," Trump remarked.
The U.S. also wants to see the Strait of Hormuz re-opened. It's a key waterway for global shipping. but since the war with Iran began, maritime traffic has essentially halted and cut off 20% of the world's oil supply from global markets.
Caught in the middle are consumers. Oil and gas prices have surged from 100 days ago, and with them, prices for other transported goods.
"The gas price story is a serious one. We understand people are hurting on that," said Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council.
The national average for a gallon of regular gas, as of Sunday, was $4.17. That's down from a month ago, but still nearly 40% higher than prices before the war, according to AAA.
Meanwhile, Trump told NBC he is open to sending additional troops to retrieve Iran's nuclear stockpile, but added he hopes that won't be necessary.
