Trump Expresses Discontent with Iran’s Recent Proposal
On Friday, President Donald Trump conveyed his dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest initiative aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict, labeling the Iranian leadership as “very disjointed.” He cautioned that a deal may remain elusive and confirmed he has been briefed on potential military responses should negotiations falter.
As he departed the White House, Trump shared with reporters that Iran’s proposed amendments, conveyed via Pakistani intermediaries, fell short despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“They want a deal, but I’m not happy with it,” he noted. He went on to suggest that, while negotiations persist, Iran is seeking terms “that we cannot agree to,” asserting that Iran’s current position indicates a decline in power, stating that the regime “essentially wants a deal because it has no troops left.”
Trump highlighted internal discord within Iran’s leadership as a significant barrier, claiming the regime is struggling due to a protracted military campaign by the U.S. and Israel that has devastated much of its top command structure.
“There’s tremendous discord, and they’re having a huge problem getting along with each other,” he remarked. “The leadership is very disjointed. There are two, three, maybe four groups that all want an agreement, but all are in disarray.”
The situation has become chaotic since Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ali Khamenei, has yet to make a public appearance and is reportedly in hiding following serious injuries from an early conflict attack.
In a statement released through state media, Khamenei adopted a hardline position, asserting Iran’s intent to maintain control over the region while pushing back against U.S. demands, even amidst internal rivalries for power.
While President Trump acknowledged some “progress” in recent communications, he expressed skepticism about Iran’s capability to agree to terms acceptable to the U.S. “I don’t know if they’ll get there,” he said, in reference to reaching a suitable agreement.
Trump further disclosed that he had been briefed by U.S. Central Command about potential subsequent actions following recent developments, emphasizing the stark choice between military intervention and continued negotiations.
“We have options,” he stated. “Do we want to go and blow them up and end them forever, or do we want to try to make a deal? Those are the options.” While he noted a preference to avoid escalation “on human grounds,” he was clear that military action remains a viable option if negotiations break down.
These comments coincided with reports from Iranian state media indicating that Tehran had submitted a revised proposal to the U.S. through a Pakistani mediator, a detail later corroborated by Pakistani officials.
According to reports, this updated proposal would soften some of Iran’s earlier demands, such as lifting the naval blockade as a prerequisite for negotiations, though it still postpones discussions on nuclear matters while seeking sanctions relief.
It appears Iran wishes to negotiate the terms surrounding the Strait of Hormuz along with U.S. guarantees related to de-escalation, but key issues would be deferred. Washington has signaled this approach is unacceptable.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized that any agreement must directly tackle Iran’s nuclear ambitions, maintaining that “there is no deal” unless Iran agrees to forgo developing nuclear weapons.
As diplomatic efforts continue, a fragile ceasefire has been in place since early April, despite heightened tensions following nearly six weeks of conflict beginning with Operation Epic Fury on February 28.
Trump also pointed to the ongoing U.S. naval blockade as a critical leverage point, asserting that pressure is nudging Iran toward negotiations while simultaneously straining its economy.
Despite recent diplomatic overtures, he reiterated his dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest offer, questioning the regime’s capacity to strike a deal while the U.S. keeps economic pressure and military options ready.
