Shocking warning The US declares it will no longer show leniency toward Iran

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says Iran wants to reach a deal with Washington but is not yet ready, as the White House prepares for high-level Gulf consultations in New York.

Trump’s comments come as the U.S.-Iran conflict enters its seventh month, with fighting continuing across the region and the administration weighing whether to resume large-scale military operations against Iran.

Speaking this week, Trump said Iran “wants to make a deal” and suggested diplomacy could eventually help bring the conflict toward an end, although he offered no timetable for negotiations.

The comments followed Trump’s statement that he is approaching a major decision over whether to restart extensive attacks, adding uncertainty to an already fragile situation across the Middle East.

Gulf Leaders Prepare for Talks

According to Axios, Trump is expected to meet leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman during the United Nations General Assembly next week.

The meeting is expected to focus on the conflict’s next phase, regional security and Washington’s plans for the period after major fighting eventually ends, according to people familiar with preparations.

Trump has said he wants regional allies’ views before deciding how to proceed, particularly after Gulf governments previously expressed concerns about Iranian retaliation against their oil and gas infrastructure.

The diplomatic discussions come amid continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global energy shipments that has become a major pressure point during the conflict.

Energy Supplies Remain a Major Concern

Reuters reported that Iran has continued obstructing oil shipments, while renewed fighting involving Iran-aligned forces in Yemen has created additional risks for shipping through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.

Oil prices have remained elevated as traders assess disruptions to regional energy supplies, increasing economic pressure on countries that depend heavily on Gulf exports and maritime transportation routes.

Despite Trump’s statements, there has been no public confirmation from Tehran that formal direct negotiations with Washington have resumed, and Iranian officials have continued emphasizing conditions for any agreement.

Iranian officials have also accused Washington of sending mixed signals, illustrating the gap between Trump’s public claims about Tehran seeking a deal and Iran’s publicly stated negotiating position.

 

 

 

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Direct Talks Remain Unclear

The disagreement matters because previous diplomatic efforts have relied heavily on intermediaries, including Qatar, Oman and Pakistan, rather than sustained direct negotiations between American and Iranian officials.

Trump has nevertheless said he has communicated directly with Iranian representatives, although independent confirmation of the nature, timing and substance of those contacts remains limited.

The White House is simultaneously considering a broader postwar strategy aimed at containing Iran and encouraging greater regional normalization, according to Axios, adding another layer to the upcoming Gulf discussions.

The administration has also kept U.S. military forces in the Middle East at current levels through the end of the year, according to U.S. officials cited by Axios.

That military posture leaves open the possibility of renewed combat while diplomatic channels remain active, creating a difficult balance between pressure on Tehran and efforts to prevent wider escalation.

A Conflict Still Without a Clear End

The regional picture has become more complicated after Iran-aligned Houthi forces intensified attacks around Saudi Arabia, creating additional security concerns for Gulf governments and international shipping operators.

Trump’s planned meeting with Gulf leaders therefore comes at a moment when Washington is seeking regional input while also confronting questions about military commitments, energy security and the prospects for diplomacy.

Reuters reported that Trump will return to the United Nations facing international scrutiny over a conflict that has produced significant regional disruption and has yet to reach a definitive settlement.

For now, Trump is signaling that diplomacy remains possible, but no comprehensive agreement has been announced, and the next steps will depend on negotiations, Iranian responses and developments on the battlefield.

The upcoming Gulf meeting could provide another channel for discussing the conflict, but whether those discussions lead to direct U.S.-Iran negotiations or a broader agreement remains unresolved.