Trump Declines Iran Ceasefire Talks Amid Ongoing Conflict
President Donald Trump has firmly stated that he is not prepared to negotiate a ceasefire with Iran, despite reports indicating Tehran's willingness to reach a deal with the United States. In a phone interview with NBC News on Saturday evening, Trump emphasised that the current terms are inadequate, saying, 'Iran wants to make a deal, and I don't want to make it because the terms aren't good enough yet.' He declined to specify the exact conditions Iran must meet but insisted any future agreement would need to be 'very solid,' likely involving Iran abandoning its nuclear ambitions.
Israel Plans Extended Military Operations
These remarks coincide with Israel's indication that the war could persist for several more weeks. An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson revealed that the military is preparing for at least three additional weeks of operations against Iran, with 'thousands of targets' still remaining. Brigadier General Effie Defrin, in an interview with CNN, confirmed close coordination with the United States and plans extending beyond the Jewish holiday of Passover. 'We have thousands of targets ahead,' Defrin said. 'We are ready, in coordination with our US allies, with plans through at least the Jewish holiday of Passover, about three weeks from now.'
According to the IDF, the Israeli Air Force has executed approximately 400 waves of strikes in western and central Iran since the campaign commenced on February 28. Israeli officials assert that the joint US-Israeli offensive has targeted thousands of sites aimed at weakening Iran's military infrastructure and regime leadership. Defrin clarified that the campaign is not bound by a specific timeline and will continue until Israeli objectives are fully achieved.
Trump Questions Khamenei's Survival
In a surprising turn, Trump raised doubts about whether Iran's newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive, following his absence from public appearances. 'I don't know if he's even alive. So far nobody's been able to show him,' Trump remarked. He added, 'I'm hearing he's not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that's surrender.' However, Trump acknowledged that reports of Khamenei's death remain 'a rumor.'
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was appointed earlier this week after the elder Khamenei was killed during the initial phase of the conflict. The war erupted late last month with coordinated strikes by Israeli and US forces against Iranian targets, prompting Iran to retaliate with missiles and drones at Israel and US facilities across the region.
Strait of Hormuz Security Concerns
The conflict has escalated fears over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route that carries a significant portion of the world's oil supply. Iranian officials have threatened to close the strait in retaliation for the attacks, potentially causing a surge in global energy prices. Trump addressed this concern, stating that the United States is collaborating with allies to secure the waterway. 'We're going to be sweeping the strait very strongly, and we believe we'll be joined by other countries that are impeded from getting the oil,' he said.
In a Truth Social post earlier on Saturday, Trump called on nations including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to deploy naval vessels to help keep the shipping lane open. When asked if the US Navy could escort ships through the strait, Trump responded, 'It's possible,' but did not confirm specific plans.
US Strikes on Kharg Island and Casualties
Trump also confirmed that US forces targeted Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub in the Persian Gulf. US Central Command reported that the strikes aimed at military facilities while avoiding damage to energy infrastructure, though Trump suggested the island sustained heavy damage. 'We totally demolished Kharg Island, but we may hit it a few more times just for fun,' he remarked.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with thirteen US service members killed since its inception, including six crew members who died in a US military refueling plane crash in Iraq on Friday. Despite rising oil prices since the war began, Trump dismissed concerns that higher gas costs could negatively impact Republicans politically. 'I think they'll go lower than they were before, and I had them at record lows,' he said. 'I’m not concerned at all.'
Trump emphasised that the administration's primary goal is to prevent Iran from threatening other countries in the Middle East. 'The only thing I want to do is make sure that Iran can never be the bully of the Middle East again,' he concluded.
