WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Washington was willing to wait a few days for the “right answers” from Iran regarding a possible agreement as mediator Pakistan intensified diplomatic efforts to end the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said the United States remained ready for military action but preferred a diplomatic resolution.
“I’m willing to wait a few days for the right answer from Iran. They are logical people,” Trump said.
“If we don’t get the right answers, it will move very quickly. We are all ready to go, but we need to get the right answers,” he added.
Trump also rejected suggestions that Washington had offered sanctions relief on Iranian oil exports as part of ongoing negotiations.
“I’m not doing any relief until they sign an agreement,” he told reporters.
The US president further stressed that any agreement would require “100 per cent good answers” from Tehran.
“We have to get the right answers. It would have to be complete, 100 per cent good answers, and if we do, we save a lot of time, energy and lives, most importantly,” Trump said.
.@POTUS on Iran: "It's right on the borderline, believe me. If we don't get the right answers, it goes very quickly. We're all ready to go. We have to get the right answers — it would have to be a complete 100% good answers." pic.twitter.com/LGFDQW4Z3h
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 20, 2026
Iran says diplomacy remains open
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran had received a new proposal from the United States through mediators and was currently reviewing it.
Baghaei said Iran remained committed to negotiations despite reservations about Washington’s intentions.
According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, Baghaei said Tehran was “pursuing the path of negotiations with seriousness and good faith” despite having “strong and reasonable suspicion” regarding the US side.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran had consistently sought to avoid war and remained open to diplomacy.
“All paths remain open from our side,” Pezeshkian wrote on X.
“Forcing Iran to surrender through coercion is nothing but an illusion. Mutual respect in diplomacy is far wiser, safer, and more sustainable than war,” he added.
Iran has consistently honored its commitments and explored every avenue to avert war; all paths remain open from our side. Forcing Iran to surrender through coercion is nothing but an illusion. Mutual respect in diplomacy is far wiser, safer, and more sustainable than war.
— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) May 20, 2026
Pakistan intensifies diplomatic efforts
Meanwhile, mediator Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Washington and Tehran through negotiations.
Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran on Wednesday for the second time in less than a week as Islamabad continued efforts to facilitate dialogue between the two sides.
Iranian media reported that Naqvi met Pezeshkian and discussed the status of ongoing US-Iran negotiations.
Tasnim reported that Pezeshkian expressed support for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting regional stability and cooperation.
Naqvi also stressed “the importance of continuing the path of dialogue and understanding”, the agency reported.
Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s role in facilitating a ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington.
Iran Cautions of US, Israeli Plot to Divide Islamic Stateshttps://t.co/xjIiEvCaG8 pic.twitter.com/2ahlmo7pZi
— Fars News Agency (@EnglishFars) May 18, 2026
The Iranian president also expressed hope that ongoing diplomatic efforts would contribute to lasting regional peace and security, according to Fars.
Pakistani minister meets IRGC Commander-in-Chief
Earlier, Iranian media reported that Naqvi met Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Ahmad Vahidi during the visit.
Baghaei said Naqvi’s latest trip aimed “to facilitate the exchange of messages and provide additional explanations to clarify the texts sent between the parties”.
The visit comes as Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts to end the US–Iran conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
On April 8, Pakistan brokered a ceasefire between the US and Iran and intensified mediation efforts to permanently the conflict through negotiations.
Last month, Pakistan hosted direct talks between the US and Iranian negotiators in Islamabad.
The Islamabad Talks between the US and Iran concluded without reaching a final agreement; however, they paved the way for diplomacy to permanently end the conflict.
Pakistan’s push for second round of US-Iran talks
This marks Naqvi’s second trip to Tehran within a week. He is expected to discuss the next round of US–Iran negotiations, regional security and diplomatic developments with Iranian leaders, Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV reported.
During his previous visit over the weekend, Naqvi held a 90-minute meeting with Pezeshkian at the Presidential Palace.
He also met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.
Iranian media reported that Naqvi also met senior security officials during his visit, including the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), General Ahmad Vahidi.
The meetings come amid intensified diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Washington and Tehran.
Iran’s state-run IRNA News Agency reported, citing informed diplomatic sources, that Naqvi travelled to Tehran for talks with senior Iranian officials as part of ongoing engagement related to the mediation process.
Pakistan’s role in US–Iran talks
Pakistan has been playing an active facilitation role in efforts to restart negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry confirmed that Naqvi’s visit was linked to diplomatic engagement on US–Iran talks.
Speaking at a passing-out parade of the 46th batch of Pakistan Coast Guards recruits in Karachi, Chaudhry said Naqvi “could not attend the event due to engagements related to Iran-US talks”.
Pakistan previously brokered a ceasefire on April 8 after weeks of escalating tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Islamabad later hosted direct negotiations between US and Iranian delegations on April 11 and 12.
