US President Donald Trump has said that Washington remains dissatisfied with the current state of negotiations with Iran, warning that the United States could escalate its response if diplomatic efforts fail, even as violence continues to intensify in Lebanon and tensions remain high across the Middle East.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump stated that Iran was eager to secure an agreement with the United States but insisted that Tehran had not yet met Washington’s expectations. “Iran wants very much to make a deal,” Trump said, adding that the US was “not satisfied” with the talks so far. He also warned that if negotiations collapse, the United States may have to “finish the job,” signalling that military options remain under consideration.
Trump reiterated that his administration would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and ruled out any sanctions relief or release of frozen Iranian funds unless Tehran fully complied with US demands. He also expressed opposition to Russia or China taking control of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile under any future agreement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said diplomacy remained Washington’s preferred path but acknowledged that military alternatives remained available if negotiations failed. Rubio stated that “some progress” had been made in the talks while maintaining that Iran would not be permitted to develop nuclear weapons under Trump’s presidency.
The White House later denied reports circulated by Iranian state-linked media claiming that a draft framework agreement had already been reached between Washington and Tehran. US officials reportedly described those reports as “fabrication” and insisted that major differences still remain unresolved.
Iranian officials meanwhile said Tehran had outlined clear conditions for any future agreement, including guarantees related to sanctions relief, ceasefire arrangements, and recognition of Iran’s strategic interests. Officials in Tehran also warned that Iranian forces remained fully prepared for confrontation if diplomacy failed.
The fragile negotiations are unfolding alongside escalating violence in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes and clashes involving Hezbollah have continued despite previous ceasefire efforts. Reports indicate that dozens of people have been killed in recent strikes, while tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border continue to rise.
The Strait of Hormuz remains another major flashpoint in the negotiations. Trump recently warned Oman against attempting to influence or control shipping movements through the strategic waterway and stated that the US would respond aggressively to any disruptions.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most important energy corridors, with a significant portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through the route. Disruptions in the region have already triggered concerns over global energy prices, shipping security, and broader geopolitical stability.
Trump also suggested that future diplomatic efforts could include expanding the Abraham Accords framework by encouraging more Middle Eastern countries to normalise relations with Israel. Analysts believe the United States is attempting to combine nuclear negotiations, regional security arrangements, and broader diplomatic realignments into a single strategic framework.
Despite occasional optimism from both sides, officials and analysts continue warning that the situation remains extremely fragile. Ongoing military confrontations in Lebanon, unresolved disputes over sanctions and uranium enrichment, and tensions surrounding maritime control in the Gulf continue to threaten the possibility of a stable agreement between Washington and Tehran.
