US President Donald Trump said Iran is signalling a willingness to negotiate an end to the ongoing war, but insisted that the United States is not prepared to agree to a ceasefire because the proposed terms are insufficient. In an interview with NBC News, Trump said Washington would only consider an agreement if the conditions were strong enough to meet US demands.
"Iran wants to make a deal, and I don't want to make it because the terms aren't good enough yet," he said, adding that any terms will have to be "very solid". When asked about the conditions required for a deal, Trump declined to elaborate.
"I don't want to say that to you," he said, though he indicated that a commitment from Iran to completely abandon its nuclear ambitions would likely be part of any agreement.
Conflict escalates across West Asia
Trump’s remarks come as the conflict in West Asia continues to intensify following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran earlier this year. The offensive triggered retaliatory attacks by Tehran against Israeli and US-linked targets across the region.
The conflict has entered a more volatile phase, with both sides expanding military operations and tensions spreading across several countries in the Middle East.
Iran has launched strikes targeting Israeli territory and US positions in neighbouring nations, widening the scope of the conflict and raising concerns about regional stability.
US working with allies to secure Strait of Hormuz
Trump also said the United States is coordinating with several countries to safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global route for oil exports.
The narrow maritime corridor between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea carries a significant portion of the world’s oil supplies, making it a strategic chokepoint for global energy markets.
The ongoing conflict has already pushed oil prices higher and raised fears of disruptions to shipping traffic through the waterway.
Despite growing concerns about fuel costs, Trump dismissed worries among Americans over rising gas prices linked to the war.
Trump questions status of Iran’s new leader
During the interview, Trump also made an unverified claim about Iran’s new leadership, questioning whether the country’s new supreme leader was “even alive”.
He further said US forces were making rapid progress in the military campaign, adding that American operations were “way ahead of schedule” and that there was “practically nothing left to target” in Iran.
Trump also referred to recent US strikes on Kharg Island, claiming the attacks had “totally demolished” most of the key oil export hub and suggesting additional strikes could follow.
War impact spreads across region
The conflict between Iran and Israel has now entered its third week, with continued military activity reported across the region. Iranian media have reported explosions in Tehran as fighting escalates, while the war has disrupted oil supplies, maritime trade routes, and the broader security situation across West Asia.
According to Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, the US-Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,300 people, including senior Iranian officials. As the war continues, diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire remain uncertain, with Washington signalling that negotiations will only take place if its conditions are met.
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