Key Points:
- Trump says Iran “wants a deal” but proposal falls short.
- Tehran sends fresh offer through Pakistan as mediator.
- Trump praises Pakistan’s leadership amid ongoing diplomacy.
ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he’s “not satisfied” with Iran’s latest proposal in negotiations to end the war between the countries.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said, “Iran wants to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied with it, so we’ll see what happens,” signalling continued uncertainty over diplomatic progress.
Trump did not elaborate on what he sees as the proposal’s shortcomings.
The president said negotiations have continued by phone after he called off his envoys’ trip to Pakistan last week. He expressed frustration with Iran’s leadership, which he described as fractured.
“It’s a very disjointed leadership,” he said. “They all want to make a deal, but they’re all messed up.
.@POTUS on Iran: “They want to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied with it, so we’ll see what happens.” pic.twitter.com/7H4jkuLXuh
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 1, 2026
Pakistan mediation
The latest Iranian proposal was conveyed through Pakistan, which is playing a mediating role in efforts to revive talks between Washington and Tehran.
Trump confirmed that discussions are currently being conducted remotely, saying negotiations are taking place by phone rather than through direct, in-person meetings. He added that while Washington holds Pakistan in high regard, travel for talks remains a logistical challenge.
“I have great respect for Pakistan and for the field marshal and the prime minister,” Trump said.
War warning
Despite ongoing diplomatic engagement, Trump indicated that a return to conflict remains a possibility. He said the United States may need to restart military action if negotiations fail, adding that he is uncertain whether a final agreement can be reached.
“I’m not sure we’re going to get to a deal,” he told reporters.
“Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever — or do we want to try and make a deal? I mean, those are the options,” he said when asked about next steps, adding he would “prefer not” to take the first option “on a human basis”.
Iran leadership claims
Trump also claimed that divisions within Iran’s leadership were complicating the negotiation process.
“There’s tremendous discord… the leadership is very disjointed,” he said, suggesting that multiple factions within the Iranian system were struggling to align on a unified position.
Limited progress
While acknowledging some movement in talks, Trump said Iran had made “strides” towards a deal but not enough to secure an agreement.
He questioned whether negotiations would ultimately succeed, underscoring the fragile nature of the current diplomatic efforts.
Nuclear Warning
Trump also ruled out the possibility of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, while criticising European allies for what he described as insufficient support for US policy.
“I’m not happy with Italy and I’m not happy with Spain,” he said, accusing them of failing to take a firm stance.
He added that any acceptance of a nuclear-armed Iran would have severe global consequences, saying such a scenario would create unprecedented risks and insisting it “is not going to happen.”
