A ship on its way out of the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an "unknown projectile" on Tuesday, according to a British maritime agency, resulting in one casualty and damage to an engine room. "The impact caused damage to the engine room and resulted in a crew casualty," the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said in a social media post, adding that the remaining crew members were being assisted by the Omani Coast Guard. President Trump's son-in-law and envoy Jared Kushner said Monday that Iran is "not showing any interest" in striking a deal that "makes sense" for the United States.
In an interview with Fox News' Trey Yingst, Kushner said the president was focused on exerting economic pressure on Iran and ensuring Tehran cannot build a nuclear weapon. "If Iran is willing to finish the deal they've been discussing with us to give up their ability to create a nuclear weapon, then obviously [Mr. Trump] is willing to make a deal that could be great for the Iranian people," Kushner said.
The comments came as the 60-day negotiation period agreed to under the memorandum of understanding expired. Japan underlined on Tuesday that security cooperation with the United States and South Korea was "critical" for the region's stability, after President Trump alarmed allies by scaling back military drills with Seoul while hailing his ties with Pyongyang. Trump abruptly announced on Sunday that he had ordered the Pentagon to scale back "inappropriate and hostile" military drills with South Korea.
The following day he insisted he was making the situation "much safer" through his ties with the North's Kim Jong Un, whom he met three times in his first term but has yet to encounter since his return to the White House. While praising the leader of nuclear-armed North Korea, he rebuked key ally Seoul for failing to help Washington fight Iran, a war Mr. Trump says is aimed at stopping Tehran from getting an atomic bomb.
Pressed about whether Kim had responded to his messages, the president told reporters in the Oval Office: "Yeah, he has." Mr. Trump said "it's very positive" when asked what stage the conversations with Kim were at, but provided no further detail. He then doubled down on his praise for Kim, saying their ties reduced tensions.
"Kim Jong Un has always treated me with great respect," the president said. He understands me." President Trump on Monday downplayed reports about conditions for sailors and Marines aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea for nine months, calling them "fake news." "The Lincoln has been out there for a period of time, a good period of time, but over the years, we've had it out there much longer," Mr. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
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