Donald Trump said Saturday that he is not prepared to reach a deal with Iran to end the escalating conflict in the Middle East, stating that the terms currently being discussed are not acceptable to the United States.
Speaking in a phone interview with NBC News, the US president said negotiations were possible in principle but insisted that any agreement would require stronger conditions from Tehran.
“Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” Trump said. He did not provide further details about what specific changes Washington would require before considering an agreement.
Trump suggested that one of the most important conditions for any future deal would be a clear commitment from Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. The issue of Iran’s nuclear program has been a central point of dispute between the two countries for years and remains one of the most sensitive issues in the ongoing confrontation.
The president’s remarks came as tensions continue to rise following recent military exchanges involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The conflict intensified after joint US and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian facilities earlier this year, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Tehran against regional targets.
During the interview, Trump also commented on Iran’s response to the strikes, saying he was surprised by Tehran’s decision to target multiple countries in the region. Iranian forces have launched attacks against areas linked to US and Israeli interests, as well as locations in neighboring states hosting American military assets.
Trump further described recent American military strikes on Kharg Island as highly destructive. Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, is a key strategic site for Iran’s oil exports and also hosts military installations.
According to Trump, US strikes on the island had “totally demolished” much of its military infrastructure. He also indicated that additional strikes could be carried out if necessary.
“We may hit it a few more times just for fun,” he said, referring to the potential for further military action against the site.
The remarks underscore the continued volatility of the situation as both sides exchange threats and conduct military operations across the region.
In a separate statement posted on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump addressed the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
The waterway carries a large portion of the world’s oil supply, and disruptions there have already caused concerns in global energy markets.
Trump wrote that several countries could join the United States in deploying naval forces to help keep the strait open amid Iran’s attempted restrictions on maritime traffic.
“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 said.
The president specifically named China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom as potential participants in a multinational effort to secure the vital shipping corridor.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is widely regarded as one of the most strategically important chokepoints in global trade because a significant percentage of the world’s crude oil shipments passes through it daily.
Recent hostilities have disrupted commercial shipping through the strait and heightened fears of a broader conflict that could affect global energy supplies.
During the NBC interview, Trump also addressed concerns that Iran may have deployed naval mines in the strait to block or threaten shipping.
“We’re going to be sweeping the strait very strongly, and we believe we’ll be joined by other countries,” he said, referring to potential naval operations to detect and remove any mines or threats in the waterway.
However, the president said it remained unclear whether Iran had actually placed mines in the strait.
Trump also did not confirm whether the United States Navy would begin escorting commercial vessels traveling through the waterway, though he acknowledged that such a measure was under consideration.
“It’s possible,” he said when asked about potential naval escorts for merchant ships.
Security analysts have warned that any major disruption to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could have significant economic consequences worldwide. Energy markets, shipping companies and governments are closely monitoring the situation as tensions continue to escalate.
Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict remain uncertain, with both Washington and Tehran continuing to exchange accusations and military threats.
Trump’s latest remarks indicate that while negotiations with Iran are not entirely off the table, the United States is unlikely to enter into any agreement unless its demands—particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear program—are met.
For now, the prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough appears uncertain as military tensions and strategic maneuvering continue to shape the rapidly evolving crisis in the Middle East.
