U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he is not ready to reach an agreement with Iran, noting that “the terms are not good enough yet.”
Trump told NBC News that the strikes on Kharg Island had “completely destroyed” most of the island, adding that “we might hit it a few more times just for fun.”
He also stated that it remains unclear whether Iran has laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump added: “I hear that the new Iranian supreme leader may not be alive.”
Earlier, three informed sources said that the U.S. administration led by President Trump had rejected efforts by Middle Eastern allies to begin diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the war with Iran that began two weeks ago with a large-scale joint U.S.–Israeli air attack.
Two senior Iranian sources told Reuters that Tehran had rejected the possibility of reaching any ceasefire until U.S. and Israeli attacks stop, adding that several countries have attempted to mediate to end the conflict.
The lack of interest from both Washington and Tehran suggests that the two sides are preparing for a prolonged conflict, even as the war expands, causing civilian casualties and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, which has led to rising oil prices.
Israel and the United States have been carrying out airstrikes on Iran since Saturday, February 28, which resulted in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Since then, Tehran has responded by launching missiles and drones targeting Israel and countries across the region.
Reuters
