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 indicated he is not prepared to pursue a ceasefire agreement with Iran, asserting that although Tehran expressed interest in negotiations, the United States would continue its campaign against the country until more favorable conditions emerge. His remarks coincided with Iran’s latest missile and drone strikes targeting Gulf nations and Israel, while Israeli and American military aircraft executed fresh attacks on Iranian infrastructure. These actions have intensified regional instability, disrupted global air travel, and hindered oil exports, causing a surge in international fuel prices.
Despite the escalating death toll and rising oil costs, neither Iran nor the US showed signs of softening their positions, with the strait of Hormuz remaining effectively closed. Trump, speaking to NBC News on Saturday, hinted at potential further strikes on Kharg Island—the primary location of Iran’s oil facilities—saying the US might launch another attack “just for fun” after targeting military sites there on Friday. “Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” he stated, emphasizing the need to secure safer passage for oil shipments by intensifying operations along the Iranian coast.
“I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody has been able to show him,” Trump remarked, questioning the authority of Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who had vowed to keep the strait of Hormuz shut. This claim followed reports that Khamenei, 56, was injured during the initial strike that ignited the conflict on February 28, though Iran described the wounds as minor.
Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, emphasized the importance of de-escalation in a recent conversation with France’s Jean-Noël Barrot, urging global actors to avoid actions that could widen the conflict. “Iran is ready to consider any proposal that includes a complete end to the war,” Araghchi told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, though no independent confirmation of progress in diplomatic talks has been provided. Turkish officials have expressed support for mediation efforts, aiming to bring the crisis to a swift resolution.
Amid the ongoing violence, life in Tehran appeared to resume its usual rhythm. Witnesses noted that residents navigated their workweek in a relatively normal atmosphere, with traffic rebounding and some cafes and eateries reopening. The Tajrish bazaar, a bustling market in the capital, saw over a third of its stalls operational just days before Nowruz, the Persian New Year. However, disruptions persisted, such as the paralysis of online operations at Bank Melli, one of Iran’s largest financial institutions.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, over 1,300 individuals have been killed by US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Iranian health ministry data, relayed by Mizan, reports that 223 women and 202 children were among the casualties. The UN Refugee Agency estimates that up to 3.2 million people have been displaced, many fleeing cities to seek refuge. Meanwhile, pro-Iranian groups in Iraq intensified attacks on US embassies and bases, prompting the US to advise its citizens to evacuate the region.
