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President Donald Trump has expressed reluctance to engage in ceasefire discussions with Iran, despite signals from Tehran suggesting a willingness to negotiate a deal with the United States.
In a phone interview with NBC News on Saturday evening, Trump explained, “Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet.” His comments highlighted his current stance on the situation, indicating that any proposed terms have yet to meet his standards.
Although Trump refrained from detailing the specific conditions he would require from Iran, he emphasized that any prospective agreement must be “very solid.” He hinted that a critical component of any future deal would likely involve Iran renouncing its nuclear ambitions.
These statements were made against a backdrop of ongoing tensions, as Israel has signaled a prolonged conflict might be on the horizon. According to a spokesperson from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the military is gearing up for at least three more weeks of operations against Iran, with “thousands of targets” still on their agenda.
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said the military is preparing for at least three more weeks of operations against Iran and still has ‘thousands of targets’ remaining.
Brigadier General Effie Defrin told CNN that Israeli forces are coordinating closely with the United States and have plans extending beyond the Jewish holiday of Passover.
‘We have thousands of targets ahead,’ Defrin said. ‘We are ready, in coordination with our US allies, with plans through at least the Jewish holiday of Passover, about three weeks from now.’
According to the IDF, the Israeli Air Force has already carried out roughly 400 waves of strikes in western and central Iran since the campaign began on February 28.
President Donald Trump said Saturday he is not ready to negotiate a ceasefire with Iran despite signals from Tehran that it wants to make a deal with the United States
Trump also questioned whether Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei (pictured), is still alive after he failed to appear publicly following his appointment
Israeli officials say the Israeli Air Force has carried out about 400 waves of strikes across western and central Iran since the campaign began on February 28Â
Israeli officials say the joint US-Israeli offensive has struck thousands of targets aimed at weakening Iran’s military infrastructure and regime leadership.
Defrin said the campaign is not tied to a specific timeline and will continue until Israeli objectives are achieved.
Meanwhile, Trump raised questions about whether Iran’s newly named supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive after the leader failed to appear publicly.
‘I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far nobody’s been able to show him,’ Trump said.
‘I’m hearing he’s not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that’s surrender.’
Trump added that reports of Khamenei’s death remain ‘a rumor.’
Khamenei, the son of former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was appointed earlier this week after the elder Khamenei was killed during the early phase of the conflict.
The war began late last month when Israeli and US forces launched coordinated strikes against Iranian targets. Iran responded by firing missiles and drones at Israel and US facilities across the region.
The conflict has raised fears over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route that carries a large share of the world’s oil supply
A rescuer arrives at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb Haret Hreik on March 15, 2026
Thirteen US service members have died since the conflict began, including six crew members killed Friday when a US military refueling plane crashed in Iraq.
Trump also said the United States is working with allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil.
Iranian officials have threatened to close the strait in retaliation for the attacks, raising fears that global energy prices could surge.
‘We’re going to be sweeping the strait very strongly, and we believe we’ll be joined by other countries that are impeded from getting the oil,’ Trump said.
In a Truth Social post earlier Saturday, Trump called on countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom to send naval vessels to help keep the shipping lane open.
Asked whether the US Navy could escort ships through the waterway, Trump said the move was possible but declined to confirm plans.
‘It’s possible,’ he said.
Trump also confirmed that US forces struck Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub in the Persian Gulf.
A man and his dog walk across the rubble of a building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb Haret Hreik on March 15, 2026
Plane spotters watch a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber taking off from RAF Fairford in south-west England on March 15, 2026
US Central Command said the strikes targeted military facilities while avoiding damage to energy infrastructure. Trump suggested the island sustained heavy damage.
‘We totally demolished Kharg Island, but we may hit it a few more times just for fun,’ Trump said.
Despite rising oil prices since the conflict began, Trump dismissed concerns that higher gas costs could hurt Republicans politically.
‘I think they’ll go lower than they were before, and I had them at record lows,’ Trump said.
‘I’m not concerned at all.’
Trump said the administration’s primary objective is preventing Iran from threatening other countries in the Middle East.
‘The only thing I want to do is make sure that Iran can never be the bully of the Middle East again,’ he said.