Tehran announced Monday that Iranians proved “they are skilled chess players” in response to US President Donald Trump’s comments comparing his negotiations with Iran to a chess game.
On Sunday, Trump indicated he was willing to let economic sanctions against Iran intensify, seemingly stepping back from potential military actions after Iran presented a list of demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iranians showed they are masterful chess players, whether the lights are on or off,” stated Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei during a weekly press briefing.
Earlier, Axios quoted Trump as saying he was “keeping it low-key” with Iran.
“We’re only semi-negotiating with them. We’re monitoring Iran’s economy, especially their rampant inflation and lack of funds,” Trump explained. “It will work out; it always does. It’s like a chess match,” he added.
His remarks followed Iran’s weekend release of conditions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has largely remained closed since late February, when conflict in the Middle East escalated.
Iranian official Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr outlined Tehran’s requirements, including ending the “war and aggression against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq.”
He also called for the removal of US sanctions on Iranian ports, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and compensation for damages sustained during the conflict, according to the Tasnim news agency.
Baghaei reaffirmed on Monday that as long as the US naval blockade persists and other violations continue, the prerequisites for declaring the Strait of Hormuz as safe waters are not met.