US not ready to seek deal to end war with Iran, Donald Trump says
US not ready to seek deal to end war with Iran, Donald Trump says
Donald Trump asserted that the U.S. is not prepared to pursue a peace agreement to halt the ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Despite claims that Tehran is eager to negotiate a ceasefire, Trump argued the U.S. would continue its military operations until it secures more favorable conditions. This came after Iran launched fresh missile and drone strikes targeting Gulf nations and Israel, prompting retaliatory air attacks by Israeli and American warplanes on Iranian sites.
The war has intensified instability across the Middle East, causing widespread disruption. Global air travel has been thrown into disarray, and oil exports from the region have faced major interruptions, contributing to a global surge in fuel prices. Neither Iran nor the U.S. has shown signs of easing their aggressive rhetoric, even as the death toll rises and economic pressures mount.
Trump, speaking to NBC News on Saturday, hinted at further military action, suggesting the U.S. might strike targets on Kharg Island—a key location for Iran’s oil infrastructure—again “just for fun.” This followed Friday’s aerial assaults on military installations there. “Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” Trump stated. He also mentioned plans to increase strikes on Iranian coastal areas north of the strait of Hormuz to ensure safe passage for oil shipments.
“I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody has been able to show him.”
Iran has acknowledged that its new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was injured in the strike that ignited the war on February 28. While the injuries are described as minor, Khamenei has vowed in a written statement to maintain the closure of the strait of Hormuz. However, Trump dismissed this resolve, casting doubt on Khamenei’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, called for restraint in international actions during a conversation with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot. “Iran is ready to consider any proposal that includes a complete end to the war,” Araghchi said, though no progress has been confirmed. Turkish officials have reported efforts to mediate between Iran and its neighbors to reduce tensions.
Amid the chaos, daily life in Tehran has shown some resilience. Witnesses noted that citizens resumed normal routines, with increased traffic and reopened cafes and restaurants. In the Tajrish bazaar, over a third of stalls were active five days before Nowruz, the Persian New Year. However, online banking at Bank Melli, one of Iran’s largest institutions, remained paralyzed, while bus stops in certain areas were nearly empty due to the ongoing conflict.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, more than 1,300 people have been killed in US and Israeli strikes on Iran. This includes 223 women and 202 children, as reported by Iran’s health ministry. The UN refugee agency estimates that up to 3.2 million individuals have been displaced, many fleeing urban centers for safety.
Violence persists in other parts of the region. The U.S. has advised its citizens to evacuate Iraq, where pro-Iranian groups have targeted the US embassy and western military bases. Reports also indicate new attacks on potential US allies within Kurdish factions in the country’s northern regions.
