Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Trump Says Iran Seeks Deal but Rejects Washington’s Terms
The United States and Iran are having very serious disagreements.
President Donald Trump said Iran wants to make a deal but does not accept the terms the United States wants.
He said the United States is using strong economic pressure against Iran.
Trump also said the United States controls important areas near the Strait of Hormuz.
He said Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
Iran’s foreign minister said similar pressure campaigns had failed before and would fail again.
Iran’s parliament speaker said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the United States met several demands.
The two countries therefore disagree about both the economic pressure and control of the waterway.
Donald Trump said Iran wants an agreement but is not ready to accept what he calls the right deal.
Trump said U.S. economic measures target Iran’s oil smuggling, financial transfers, exchange houses, ship registries and front companies.
He claimed the United States controls key areas around the Strait of Hormuz and has severely damaged Iran’s military infrastructure.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the latest pressure campaign a failed policy that would not succeed.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until U.S. commitments were fulfilled.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
- What
- The United States and Iran exchanged opposing statements over a potential agreement, U.S. economic pressure and the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- The statements were made Friday amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
- Where
- The main U.S. remarks were made at Joint Base Andrews; the dispute also concerns Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- The United States says it is pressuring Iran over its conduct and nuclear ambitions, while Iranian officials oppose the campaign and demand U.S. concessions.
Washington’s position
Tehran’s position
Economic pressure
Washington’s position
Trump said severe economic measures are intended to isolate Iran and target its financial and oil-related lifelines.
Tehran’s position
Araghchi called the campaign another failed pressure policy and said it would not succeed.
Potential agreement
Washington’s position
Trump said Iran wants an agreement but has not accepted what he considers the right deal.
Tehran’s position
Iranian officials did not accept Washington’s approach and instead demanded commitments including sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets.
Strait of Hormuz
Washington’s position
Trump said the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz and the surrounding region.
Tehran’s position
Ghalibaf said Iran would not reopen the strait until the United States met specified obligations.
- U.S. position
- Trump said Iran wants a deal but is not ready to accept Washington’s terms.
- Economic campaign
- Trump described the measures as the most crushing economic operation against Iran and urged allies to join the effort.
- Targeted areas
- The campaign is intended to target oil smuggling networks, financial transfers, exchange houses, ship registries and front companies.
- Nuclear issue
- Trump said Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
- Iranian response
- Abbas Araghchi said previous sanctions and maximum-pressure campaigns had failed and predicted the latest effort would also fail.
- Strait of Hormuz
- Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran would not reopen the strait until the United States fulfilled commitments including lifting the blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets and easing oil sanctions.
- Trump’s claims
- Trump said Iran had lost key military capabilities and that the United States had control of the region around the Strait of Hormuz.