Donald Trump has declared that the United States is still not satisfied with Iran’s latest proposals for a possible peace and nuclear agreement, despite ongoing negotiations aimed at ending tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Trump revealed that talks with Iran were continuing but warned that Washington could resume military action if a satisfactory deal was not reached.
“Iran is very much intent, they want very much to make a deal. So far, they haven’t gotten there. We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be,” Trump said.
The US president added that if negotiations fail, America and its allies may be forced to “finish the job, referring to renewed military operations following previous US-Israel strikes launched earlier this year.
The comments came shortly after Iranian state television claimed that Tehran and Washington were discussing a draft memorandum of understanding that could lead to the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iran, restoration of free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and possible withdrawal of American troops from the Gulf region.
However, the White House quickly dismissed the report, describing it as a “complete fabrication.
Trump also insisted he was under no political pressure to secure a quick agreement ahead of the US midterm elections, despite concerns that instability in the Middle East could worsen inflation and fuel prices for Americans.
They thought they were going to outwait me because of the midterms,” Trump said. “I don’t care about the midterms.”
The negotiations come amid heightened global concern over Iran’s nuclear programme and rising tensions surrounding the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who attended the cabinet meeting alongside Trump, admitted that some progress had been made in the negotiations.
There has been some progress and some interest,” Rubio stated, adding that the coming days would determine whether both sides could reach a breakthrough.
In another dramatic remark, Trump warned that no country would be allowed to control the Strait of Hormuz and appeared to threaten military retaliation against any nation attempting to dominate the strategic waterway.
The US president also hinted that any future agreement with Iran could be tied to his broader Middle East agenda, including efforts to convince more Muslim-majority nations to normalise diplomatic ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords.
Trump further suggested that discussions surrounding Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile might be postponed temporarily if both sides can quickly reach an initial memorandum of understanding.
However, he ruled out allowing countries like Russia or China to take custody of Iran’s uranium reserves, saying he would not be comfortable with such an arrangement.
The latest developments signal that tensions between Washington and Tehran remain fragile despite growing diplomatic engagement aimed at preventing another major conflict in the Middle East.
