The United States has warned that it is “more than capable” of restarting military operations against Iran as diplomatic efforts continue over a possible peace agreement tied to President Donald Trump’s strict conditions on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The White House indicated that Trump was nearing a decision on an initial deal after weeks of shifting signals in tense negotiations. However, Iranian officials denied that any final agreement had been reached to end the wider Middle East conflict, which has already disrupted global markets.
According to US sources cited by AFP, a draft arrangement was awaiting Trump’s approval. However, the president had not made a final decision following a two-hour meeting at the White House Situation Room on Friday.
Speaking at a major defence summit in Singapore on Saturday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington retained the option of returning to war if necessary.
“Our ability to recommence if necessary is (that) we are more than capable, our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe because of how we balance exquisite and more plentiful munitions,” he said.
His remarks aligned with a statement from US Central Command (CENTCOM), which said American forces “remain present and vigilant across the region.”
Efforts to broker a deal, reportedly mediated by Pakistan, have been complicated by recent US strikes on Iran’s Bandar Abbas port, which Tehran responded to with retaliatory attacks.
Diplomatic discussions have continued alongside parallel negotiations aimed at halting violence in Lebanon, which Iran insists must be included in any broader settlement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has meanwhile said Israeli forces have advanced further in the conflict zone, even as military talks continued in Washington.
Trump’s position remains firm on key conditions, including a complete ban on Iran developing nuclear weapons and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He outlined these demands in a social media post following the Situation Room meeting.
“President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines,” a White House official told AFP.
“Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” the official added.
Competing Positions Stall Agreement
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei rejected Washington’s conditions, saying state media that the Islamic Republic “said goodbye to the language of ‘must’ 47 years ago.”
He added that discussions were still ongoing but stressed that “no final agreement has been reached yet.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a call with the Emir of Qatar, said Tehran was prepared to pursue a “dignified framework” to end the war, according to IRNA.
Trump, in his post, claimed Iran would remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz and allow free passage through the waterway, while the US would lift restrictions on Iranian ports. He also said both sides would coordinate on dismantling Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, adding that “no money will be exchanged, until further notice.”
However, Iran’s Fars news agency, citing official sources, disputed key elements of the proposal, including the release of frozen assets.
“The immediate release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets” was reportedly a central Iranian demand, according to the sources.
They also rejected claims regarding the Strait of Hormuz arrangement and described Trump’s uranium comments as “fundamentally baseless.”
A resident of northern Iran, Ali from Tonekabon, said uncertainty remained high.
“Both sides are speaking in a way that keeps their supporters satisfied. It’s not clear who is telling the truth,” he said.
Fighting Continues In Lebanon
Elsewhere, heavy fighting continued on the Lebanon front.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces had advanced beyond a river located about 30 kilometres north of the Israel-Lebanon border.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks on northern Israel and Israeli troops near the historic Beaufort fortress, which Israel previously used as a base during its occupation of southern Lebanon.
A ceasefire agreement announced for April 17 has yet to hold, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
Lebanon became directly involved in the wider conflict in March after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes, triggering Israeli retaliation and a ground offensive.
Israel and Lebanon have since begun direct talks, with another round of military discussions expected in Washington next week.
