Trump: Iran wants a deal but is not ready to reach one

US President Donald Trump has stated that Iran is open to negotiating a deal with Washington, but the Iranian side is not yet prepared to accept his conditions. In a White House statement, Trump said, "Iran wants to make a deal; they're not ready, in my opinion. We're gonna either make a deal that's good, or we're not gonna make a deal at all."

His comments come as he portrays the conflict as nearing a possible diplomatic resolution, while warning that the US could resume or intensify military actions. Trump claimed to have spoken directly with Iranian officials, though Tehran has not publicly confirmed these details. In an Axios interview, Trump described the decision he faces as a "big decision" of whether to resume large-scale military operations against Iran or not.

The ongoing war, which began in February, has entered its seventh month, with Iran subsequently attacking Israel and Gulf states. One major issue in the negotiations is the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway crucial for global oil shipments, which has been severely disrupted. Six Gulf Cooperation Council countries are expected to meet with Trump at the UN General Assembly, covering the war and US postwar strategy.

Washington's decision to allow Iran's President and Foreign Minister to attend the UN General Assembly has also created a potential diplomatic opening. However, disagreements remain over Iran's nuclear program, sanctions, military capabilities, and the Strait of Hormuz, among other issues.