Iran ‘Begging’ for US Deal, Says Trump

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran is under severe pressure and is “begging” for a deal with Washington, even as his administration insists that no negotiations are currently taking place between the two countries.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, described Iran as a “failing nation” and said its military capabilities had been significantly weakened by months of conflict.

The latest claim came amid growing uncertainty over efforts to end the conflict, with Washington stepping up economic pressure on Tehran while maintaining that it is in no hurry to return to the negotiating table.

Trump also rejected reports that he was seeking a meeting with Iranian officials, insisting that it was Tehran that wanted renewed dialogue.

“There are currently no negotiations happening,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, adding that the administration would continue its pressure campaign until Iran was prepared to engage in what Washington considers meaningful negotiations.

Trump had earlier said he had “no timetable” for ending the conflict and was prepared to allow military and economic pressure to continue for as long as necessary.

The administration has launched what it calls “Operation Economic Outcast”, aimed at tightening the economic squeeze on Iran and discouraging other countries from maintaining financial and commercial ties with Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned countries doing business with Iran that they could face secondary sanctions.

The hardening US position has also complicated efforts by regional powers to revive diplomacy. Qatar’s Prime Minister travelled to Tehran on Thursday as part of efforts to reopen a diplomatic channel between Washington and Tehran.

Iran, meanwhile, has continued to reject Washington’s pressure campaign, describing the US measures as an “all-out economic war”. Tehran has also indicated that it will set out its own conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic waterway has remained a major flashpoint in the conflict because of its importance to global oil and gas shipments.

US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper said on Thursday that American forces had completed the removal of Iranian sea mines from internationally recognised shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.

Cooper described the operation as a “major milestone”, saying vessels could once again transit freely through the critical waterway. Nearly 1,500 vessels carrying about 750 million barrels of crude oil have transited the strait under the protection of US forces in recent months, according to Cooper.

The US claim that the shipping lanes are clear has, however, faced some scepticism from allies, with reports suggesting that some mines could still remain in the wider waterway.

Despite the military development, prospects for a fresh US-Iran agreement remain uncertain.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration had rejected returning to the framework of a preliminary agreement reached with Iran in June. The earlier arrangement had been linked to efforts to address the nuclear issue, sanctions and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The development has further complicated mediation efforts, with Washington maintaining that it does not want to resume talks under the previous framework.

The conflict, which began with major US-Israeli strikes against Iran in February, has now entered its sixth month. The prolonged confrontation has weakened Iran’s military and leadership but has also failed to produce a clear end to the conflict, while disruption around the Strait of Hormuz continues to affect global energy markets.

Oil prices nevertheless edged lower on Friday, with Brent crude trading around $89.45 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate at $83.31, as markets weighed the latest developments around the strait and the absence of active US-Iran negotiations.

For now, Washington appears determined to maintain economic and military pressure, while Tehran faces mounting international pressure to reach an understanding that could ease the conflict and restore stability around one of the world’s most important energy corridors.