US not ready to seek deal to end war with Iran, Donald Trump says

US Not Prepared to Pursue Ceasefire with Iran, Trump Claims

Donald Trump declared that the United States remains unwilling to initiate talks aimed at halting the conflict with Iran, despite indications that Tehran might be eager to negotiate a truce. He emphasized that while he believed Iran sought to reach an agreement, the U.S. would persist in its military efforts to secure more favorable conditions.

As of Saturday, Iran executed additional missile and drone assaults targeting Gulf nations and Israel, while Israeli and American aircraft launched counterstrikes against Iranian infrastructure. The ongoing hostilities have intensified instability in the Middle East, disrupted global air travel, and obstructed oil exports from the region, leading to a sharp increase in fuel costs worldwide.

Trump, speaking to NBC News, hinted at the possibility of renewed bombings on Kharg Island—home to Iran’s primary oil export terminal—saying the U.S. might “just for fun” strike the area again after targeting military sites there on Friday. He also mentioned that U.S. forces would escalate attacks on Iran’s coastal regions near the Hormuz Strait to ensure the safe passage of oil shipments.

“Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” Trump remarked, suggesting the U.S. would not settle for less than optimal terms in the negotiations.

Experts note that re-opening the Hormuz Strait solely through military action remains a formidable challenge, as Iran continues to threaten shipping with its missile arsenal, unmanned drones, and small vessels. Trump has called on foreign naval forces to assist in safeguarding tankers navigating the critical waterway, which accounts for roughly 20% of global oil and gas traffic.

Meanwhile, over 600 vessels are reportedly stranded in the Red Sea due to the conflict. In a Sunday statement, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, urged international actors to avoid measures that might worsen the war. He also indicated that Iran was open to any proposal that could lead to a full cessation of hostilities.

“Iran is ready to consider any proposal that includes a complete end to the war,” Araghchi stated in a conversation with French diplomat Jean-Noël Barrot, as reported by the Iranian foreign ministry.

Despite the escalation, daily life in Tehran showed a semblance of normalcy. Witnesses described a busier-than-usual atmosphere in the city, with some cafes and eateries reopening ahead of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. However, disruptions persisted, as Bank Melli, one of Iran’s largest financial institutions, faced online outages, forcing shoppers to queue at ATMs.

The International Committee of the Red Cross reported over 1,300 fatalities caused by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Iranian health ministry data, shared via Mizan, noted that 223 women and 202 children were among the casualties. The UN refugee agency estimates up to 3.2 million Iranians have been displaced, primarily from urban centers seeking refuge.

Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to maintain the closure of the Hormuz Strait in a written statement. Trump, however, questioned Khamenei’s authority, suggesting doubts about his survival: “I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody has been able to show him.”

Violence has not been confined to Iran. The U.S. has advised citizens to evacuate Iraq, where pro-Iranian groups have targeted embassy buildings and military bases. Reports also indicate fresh attacks on Kurdish factions, who are viewed as potential allies of the United States.