US President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that he is dissatisfied with Iran’s latest proposal to conclude the war, casting doubt on the Islamic Republic’s ability to ever accept a deal.
“They want to make a deal,” Trump said, adding, “I’m not satisfied with it.”
He did not spell out precisely what in Iran’s latest document he could not accept, going on to suggest officials in Tehran may never come around to a negotiated settlement to the war.
“They’ve made strides, but I’m not sure if they ever get there,” Trump said, describing “tremendous discord” among Iran’s leaders.
“The leadership is very disjointed,” he said. “It’s got two to three groups, maybe four, and it’s a very disjointed leadership. And with that being said, they all want to make a deal, but they’re all messed up.”
Trump also stated that his options on Iran boil down to a major military escalation or striking a deal.
AFSI’s take:
Trump’s skepticism is the right call — maximum pressure, not desperation for a deal. Israel has borne the brunt of Iran’s agression for decades. Any agreement that leaves the regime’s enrichment infrastructure, proxy army (Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, etc.), long range ballistic missle supply or breakout capability intact would be a strategic disaster — merely a pause before the next round of aggression. Trump is applying leverage correctly. The goal isn’t “talks for talks’ sake” or another flawed paper deal; it’s denuclearization and deterrence restoration. If Iran won’t meet realistic terms, continued pressure (military and economic) remains the responsible path. Weakness invites war; strength deters it.