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
President Donald Trump asserted he hasn’t finalized plans to pursue a peace agreement halting the US-Israeli assault on Iran, despite claims that Tehran was willing to engage in ceasefire talks. He emphasized that the terms proposed by Iran were still insufficient, prompting the United States to escalate its military operations in the region. This declaration followed Iran’s latest wave of missile and drone strikes targeting Gulf nations and Israel, while Israeli and American air forces launched fresh attacks on Iranian military sites.
Escalation in the Middle East
The ongoing conflict has sent the Middle East into turmoil, disrupting global air travel and oil exports through the Hormuz Strait. This has driven international fuel prices higher, with the strait’s near-total shutdown creating significant economic strain. Neither Iran nor the United States showed signs of softening their positions, even as the death toll climbed and oil supply chains faced unprecedented challenges.
Trump, addressing NBC News on Saturday, hinted at further strikes, including targeting Kharg Island—home to Iran’s main oil export infrastructure—once more “just for fun.” He stated that US forces would intensify attacks along the Iranian coast to secure safe passage for oil shipments. “Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” he said, underscoring his reluctance to negotiate.
“I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody has been able to show him.”
Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has pledged to maintain the Hormuz Strait’s closure, but Trump dismissed this, suggesting Khamenei might not be fully in command. Meanwhile, Iran admitted Khamenei, 56, was wounded in the initial strike on February 28 that killed his father, the previous leader. However, the injury was described as minor by Iranian officials.
Diplomatic Efforts Amid Chaos
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, urged restraint from other nations in a conversation with France’s Jean-Noël Barrot, calling for actions that avoid worsening the conflict. “Iran is ready to consider any proposal that includes a complete end to the war,” he stated, though no progress was confirmed. Turkish officials claimed they had been working to expedite a resolution, but the situation remained volatile.
Despite the war’s toll, life in Tehran continued relatively normal for some. Witnesses noted traffic had increased compared to earlier in the conflict, and cafes and restaurants in the capital had reopened. In the Tajrish bazaar, more than a third of stalls were active just days before Nowruz, the Persian New Year. However, disruptions persisted, with Bank Melli’s online services still halted for several days.
Regional Impact and Displacement
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, over 1,300 people have been killed in US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Iranian health ministry data reported by Mizan, the judiciary’s official news agency, indicates 223 women and 202 children among the casualties. The UN refugee agency estimates that up to 3.2 million people have fled their homes, primarily from the capital and other cities, seeking refuge.
Violence has also spread to Iraq, where pro-Iranian groups attacked US diplomatic facilities and bases. The US has advised its citizens to evacuate the country, fearing further attacks on Western military installations. Kurdish factions in northern Iraq reportedly targeted potential US allies, adding to the region’s instability.
