US leader says prospect of new strikes on Iran hinges on progress in talks

Lead

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the possibility of renewed US strikes on Iran hinges on the progress of ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “I don’t know, it depends,” when asked whether the US might resume attacks, adding, “We’re having talks with them now.” He acknowledged that Iranian authorities “have come a long way” but stressed that no deal is possible unless Iran agrees to forswear nuclear weapons. “At this moment, there will never be a deal unless they agree that there will be no nuclear weapons [in Iran’s possession],” he said.

Tehran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons. Western intelligence agencies have reportedly found no evidence of an Iranian nuclear weapons program, and a fatwa issued by former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2003 prohibits the production of nuclear weapons, as reported by The New York Times among others.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the ongoing US-Iran standoff varies in emphasis across outlets. The TASS report on Trump’s remarks focuses on his conditional stance and Tehran’s denials, framing the issue as a matter of negotiation. Another TASS article highlights Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s assertion that recent US actions indicate preparations for “another stage of war,” while noting Iran’s military readiness during the truce. A third TASS report covers the White House’s Counterterrorism Strategy, which pledges continued military and cyber operations against Iran until it “is no longer a threat to the United States.” A fourth piece, citing Politico, suggests Trump may be willing to make additional compromises to secure a deal, possibly by pressing Israel to halt its campaign against Lebanon.

These reports do not fundamentally contradict each other, but they differ in tone. Some emphasize Trump’s willingness to negotiate, while others stress Tehran’s warnings and Washington’s continued use of force as a stated policy.

Key Claims

• President Trump stated that future US strikes on Iran depend on the outcome of ongoing negotiations. This claim is attributed directly to Trump in the TASS report.
• Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the US’s recent actions point to plans to restart hostilities, but that Iran’s military has improved its readiness during the truce. This is reported by TASS, citing the Fars news agency.
• The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that if the US and Israel attack again, the combat zone would expand beyond the Middle East. This is reported by TASS.
• The White House’s Counterterrorism Strategy states that military and other actions against Iran will continue until it poses no threat to the US. This is documented in the official strategy, as reported by TASS.
• Trump reportedly abandoned a planned strike on May 19 at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, who believed a deal with Iran was still possible. This claim is carried by TASS, citing US sources; it is not independently verified.
• Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Iran’s armed forces are prepared for any scenario and would present the enemy with “new surprises.” This is reported by TASS.
• Iran has held several rounds of talks with the US in Islamabad, but no long-term agreement has been reached due to disagreements. This is consistent across multiple TASS reports.
• The US imposed a naval blockade on Iran, according to one TASS report, though specific details of the blockade are not provided in the text.

Perspectives

US perspective (based on Trump’s statements and White House strategy)

President Trump frames the situation as a conditional negotiation: Iran must accept a nuclear ban or face continued military pressure. The White House’s Counterterrorism Strategy reaffirms the use of force, including “kinetic, intelligence, and cyber operations,” until Iran is deemed non-threatening. Trump’s reported willingness to make compromises—such as pressing Israel to accept a ceasefire with Lebanon—suggests he prioritizes avoiding a wider conflict, but only under terms that preclude Iranian nuclear weapons.

Iranian perspective (based on statements from Ghalibaf, IRGC, and Foreign Ministry)

Iranian officials assert that the US is preparing for renewed hostilities, despite the ceasefire. The IRGC warns that any new attack would expand the conflict beyond the Middle East, implying escalation could have global consequences. Iran’s military claims improved preparedness during the truce, and its leadership vows to deliver “new surprises.” Iran continues to deny seeking nuclear weapons and emphasizes its legal and religious prohibitions against them.

Conclusion

The US-Iran confrontation remains unresolved, with both sides signaling readiness for either continued diplomacy or escalation. Trump’s conditional stance leaves the door open for talks, but his administration’s counterterrorism strategy indicates sustained pressure. Tehran’s warnings reflect a posture of deterrence while maintaining that it seeks a peaceful resolution. The stalled Islamabad talks and the ongoing ceasefire—which Iran does not formally recognize—suggest that the next phase of this conflict will depend on whether negotiators can bridge their differences before further military action is taken.