Trump Dismisses Iran Deal as Tensions Escalate in the Strait of Hormuz
Trump's Stance on Iran Negotiations
Washington: President Donald Trump has turned down a potential agreement with Iran aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict, stating that the proposed conditions are "not satisfactory yet." He has urged nations globally to send naval forces to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz and maintain the flow of oil shipments.
In a comprehensive phone interview with NBC News on Saturday, Trump mentioned that Iran has shown interest in talks but emphasized that the U.S. will not hasten into a ceasefire while hostilities persist.
"Iran is eager to negotiate, but I’m not ready to agree because the terms aren’t adequate yet," Trump remarked during the conversation.
When pressed about what the agreement might entail, he refrained from providing specifics, suggesting that a commitment to abandon nuclear ambitions would likely be a key component.
These comments come as the conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran enters its third week, with fighting escalating throughout the Middle East and global energy markets experiencing turmoil due to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump indicated that the U.S. is encouraging nations impacted by oil shipment disruptions to assist in securing this vital waterway.
"They’ve not only committed, but they believe it’s a great idea," he stated regarding potential international involvement.
Earlier, Trump publicly called for a collaborative international effort to safeguard the route.
In a post on Truth Social, he expressed that "Many Countries, particularly those affected by Iran’s attempts to close the Hormuz Strait, will be deploying War Ships alongside the United States to keep the Strait open and secure."
He expressed hope that countries like China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK would send naval forces to the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered the most crucial oil shipping route globally, responsible for a significant portion of crude oil exports. Trump also confirmed in the NBC interview that U.S. forces had conducted strikes on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export site.
"We completely destroyed Kharg Island, but we might strike it a few more times just for fun," Trump stated.
However, he clarified that U.S. forces intentionally avoided damaging critical energy infrastructure on the island.
"As you know, I didn’t target the energy lines because rebuilding that would take years," he added.
The ongoing conflict has already impacted U.S. military personnel. Reports indicate that six American service members lost their lives this week when a U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq while supporting operations related to the war.
This incident has raised the total number of American service members killed in the conflict to at least 13.
The conflict has also spilled over into the region.
Reports indicate that the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad was hit in an attack early Saturday. Air raid sirens were activated, and smoke was observed rising from the diplomatic compound following an explosion that damaged a rooftop structure.
The embassy has advised Americans to avoid approaching the facility due to security concerns.
Iran-aligned militias have conducted several attacks across Iraq in recent days, targeting diplomatic sites, infrastructure, and locations associated with the U.S. and its allies.
Iran has also continued its missile and drone assaults throughout the Gulf region, with governments in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain reporting interceptions of numerous drones and missiles during the latest wave of attacks.
Despite the escalating tensions and rising oil prices, Trump downplayed concerns that increased gasoline prices could negatively impact his political standing.
"I believe prices will drop lower than they were before, and I had them at record lows," Trump predicted, asserting that prices would decrease once the conflict concludes.
"I’m not worried at all," he added. "My only goal is to ensure that Iran can never dominate the Middle East again."
The conflict erupted after the U.S. and Israel initiated a joint military operation against Iran on February 28, targeting military infrastructure and facilities linked to Tehran’s missile and drone programs.
Since then, the Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point in the geopolitical landscape of the conflict. Iran has threatened to obstruct tanker traffic through this narrow passage, raising concerns about a significant global energy crisis and prompting the U.S. and its allies to contemplate naval operations to keep the route accessible.