Trump Says US Ready to End Iran War Quickly Amid Fragile Negotiations

Reuters

US President Donald Trump.

US President Donald Trump has said Washington is prepared to end the war with Iran “very quickly”, while insisting that the United States will never allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Speaking during the annual Congressional Picnic at the White House, Trump said he hoped further military action could be avoided, but warned that the United States remained ready to launch new strikes if negotiations failed.

Earlier, Trump revealed that he had been “an hour away” from authorising renewed attacks on Iran before postponing the operation to allow more time for diplomatic efforts.

“You know what it’s like to negotiate with a country you beat badly,” Trump told reporters. “They come to the negotiating table begging to make a deal.”

He added: “I hope we don’t have to fight another war, but we may have to hit them again with a big one. I’m not sure yet.”

The remarks came amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran despite a ceasefire that took effect on 8 April, following nearly 40 days of conflict that began on 28 February involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Negotiations between the two sides have continued since the ceasefire began, although major differences remain, particularly over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Trump indicated that the US administration would decide within days whether to resume military action if no agreement is reached.

“Two or three days, maybe Friday, Saturday or Sunday, perhaps early next week,” he said, describing it as a limited timeframe.

On Monday, Trump said he had delayed a new attack on Iran following requests from the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. At the same time, he stressed that the US military had been instructed to remain prepared for a “full-scale attack” if diplomacy collapsed.

Iran, meanwhile, warned that it would respond forcefully to any renewed US military action. Iranian military spokesman Mohammad Akrami Nia said Tehran was prepared to open “new fronts” against the United States if strikes resumed.

He added that Iran’s armed forces were treating the ceasefire period as “a phase of war” and using the opportunity to strengthen military capabilities.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi criticised Trump’s comments, saying they presented “the threat as an opportunity for peace”.

Only one round of direct talks between US and Iranian representatives has taken place so far, held in Islamabad on 11 April, but the meeting ended without a breakthrough.

Iran has repeatedly rejected several US proposals, while continuing to insist on demands including the release of frozen Iranian assets, the lifting of sanctions, and compensation for war damage.

According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, Washington’s latest proposal included demands for Iran to maintain only one nuclear facility and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.

The report also claimed the US had refused to release frozen Iranian funds abroad or offer compensation for damages caused during the conflict.

However, Iranian media later reported that Washington had shown some flexibility by agreeing to suspend oil sanctions during the negotiation period, according to a source cited by Tasnim News Agency.

The ongoing conflict and uncertainty surrounding negotiations have continued to affect global markets, particularly due to Iran’s influence over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for international oil supplies.


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