U.S. President Donald Trump expressed displeasure with the current state of negotiations with Iran, blaming disjointed leadership in Tehran for preventing a deal to end the nine-week conflict that has triggered a global energy crisis. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump stated, 'They want to make a deal but I'm not satisfied with it. We just had a conversation with Iran. Let's see what happens. But I would say that I am not happy.'
Trump did not elaborate on the Iranian participants in the latest talks or when they occurred. He added that 'they've made strides, but I'm not sure if they ever get there.' This comes as Iran delivered a new proposal to the U.S., and Trump vowed to maintain a naval blockade, as both sides pursue behind-the-scenes diplomacy to turn a fragile ceasefire into a lasting peace. It was not immediately clear whether Trump's remarks referred to that proposal.
Blockade and Strait of Hormuz
Trump touted what he called an 'incredible' blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and said the U.S. was not ready to end the war. 'The strait is totally shut down, it's flawless. It's 100 per cent shut down,' he said. The fate of the Strait of Hormuz—through which about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas flowed before the war—lies at the heart of the current stalemate. Both Iran and the U.S. have signaled they are waiting for the other to move first before agreeing to ease restrictions on traffic.
Tehran relayed its latest position to Washington via Pakistan, which mediated a first round of direct negotiations last month, according to Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Friday. IRNA did not elaborate on what the Iranian proposal entailed on key issues such as Hormuz or Iran's nuclear activities.
Iran's Response and Economic Impact
Trump has said the blockade of Iranian ports is depriving the Islamic Republic of much-needed oil revenue, claiming the pressure would force Tehran back to the negotiating table. However, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf responded on X, saying, 'Good luck blockading a country with those borders,' referring to Iran's large size. He and other Iranian officials insist the blockade must be lifted for new talks to proceed and for Hormuz to reopen, warning that the blockade will further push up oil prices.
The U.S. is pitching allies on a joint naval force to secure the Strait of Hormuz. New Zealand said it had received the proposal but would only support a U.S.-led coalition if a sustainable ceasefire was in place. The effort, called the 'Maritime Freedom Construct,' was outlined in a State Department cable to U.S. embassies on Tuesday, calling on diplomats to press foreign governments into joining, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Political and Military Developments
On Thursday, Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, cast doubt on the likelihood of a deal. In a rare statement, he vowed not to give up the country's nuclear or missile technologies and signaled Tehran would keep control of the Hormuz strait. Additionally, Iran activated air defenses around the capital Tehran late on Thursday to counter reconnaissance drones, though it is unclear what led to the activation.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparred with lawmakers on Thursday as Democrats stressed the Iran war was nearing the 60-day threshold that triggers a requirement under the War Powers Act for Congressional authorization for any further action. Democrats say the Pentagon is underestimating the cost of the conflict. One U.S. Senator stated that the US$25 billion figure provided this week was 'probably less than half, maybe less than a quarter, of the total cost of war.'
Trump invited Iraq's prime minister nominee to visit Washington after he forms a new government, as the U.S. seeks to limit Iran's influence on the Arab country. In a telephone call, Trump and Ali al-Zaidi discussed 'ways to develop and strengthen' bilateral relations between the U.S. and Iraq in various fields, according to a statement from the Iraqi premier's office. Signs of strain on the Iranian economy have emerged in recent days, with the currency weakening to a fresh low.
