President says terms ‘aren’t good enough yet’
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said Saturday that he is not yet prepared to make a deal with Iran to end the widening Middle East conflict.
Trump said the terms of any potential agreement “aren’t good enough yet” and declined to provide details on what a deal would require.
“Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” he told NBC News in a phone interview.
He added that a commitment from Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions would likely be a key component.
Trump also expressed surprise at Iran’s attacks on other countries in response to US-Israeli military operations, and described American strikes on Kharg Island as having “totally demolished” most of the island’s military facilities. He added that “we may hit it a few more times just for fun.”
Separately, in a post on his Truth Social account, Trump wrote that “many countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending warships, in conjunction with the United States, to keep the Strait open and safe.”
He named China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom as potential participants.
Trump also addressed the Strait of Hormuz during the interview, saying it is unclear whether Iran has deployed mines.
“We’re going to be sweeping the strait very strongly, and we believe we’ll be joined by other countries,” he said.
He did not confirm whether the US Navy would escort commercial vessels, adding only that “it’s possible.”
Trump says ‘totally defeated’ Iran ‘wants a deal,’ but not that he would accept
Trump said Friday that “totally defeated” Iran “wants a deal” but not one he would accept.
“The Fake News Media hates to report how well the United States Military has done against Iran, which is totally defeated and wants a deal – But not a deal that I would accept!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
But Iran ruled out the possibility of a ceasefire with the US and Israel on Tuesday, saying it intends to continue responding to attacks against the country.
“Certainly, we aren’t seeking a ceasefire,” Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said on US social media company X. “We believe the aggressor must be punished and taught a lesson that will deter them from attacking Iran again.”
Since Israel and the US launched joint attacks against Iran on Feb. 28, so far killing some 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hostilities have escalated.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. — Anadolu Agency
