Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Trump Weighs Iran War Options as Tehran Sets Conditions
The United States and Iran are involved in an ongoing war.
Iran sent seven conditions to the United States through Qatar, which is acting as a mediator.
Iran says talks should begin only if the fighting stops everywhere, frozen Iranian money is released, and the naval blockade ends.
Iran’s Mohsen Rezaei warned that his country is ready for a “decisive war” if its demands are rejected.
Donald Trump said he is deciding what the United States should do next.
He mentioned military action, economic pressure, or a negotiated agreement as possible choices.
Trump also warned Iran to “behave.”
He said he might meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New York during the United Nations meeting.
Iran conveyed seven conditions to the United States through Qatar for restarting negotiations to end the war.
The publicly described conditions include ending fighting on all fronts, releasing frozen Iranian funds, and lifting the naval blockade.
Mohsen Rezaei warned that Iran was prepared for a “decisive war” if Washington rejected its demands.
Donald Trump said he was in “deciding mode” and outlined military escalation, economic pressure, or a negotiated settlement as possible paths.
Trump said he would probably be open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- Who
- United States President Donald Trump; Iranian officials Mohsen Rezaei and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf; Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian; and Qatar as mediator.
- What
- Iran has sent seven conditions for restarting negotiations while the United States considers its next steps in the conflict.
- When
- September 20, 2026; Trump made his remarks on Sunday.
- Where
- Iran’s conditions were conveyed through Qatar to Washington; a possible Trump-Pezeshkian meeting could take place in New York during the United Nations General Assembly.
- Why
- Iran says negotiations should be tied to ending the war, releasing frozen Iranian funds, and lifting the naval blockade.
Tehran’s Conditions
Washington’s Options
Basis for negotiations
Tehran’s Conditions
Iran says negotiations should begin only after conditions including an end to the fighting, release of frozen funds, and lifting of the naval blockade are addressed.
Washington’s Options
Trump said the United States could pursue a negotiated settlement, but also identified military escalation and economic pressure as alternatives.
Military pressure
Tehran’s Conditions
Rezaei said Iran was prepared for a “decisive war,” while Iran’s military claimed the United States was preparing another operation and warned its supporters.
Washington’s Options
Trump said he was deciding what to do and warned that “very big things” could happen, while telling Iran to “behave.”
Leadership contact
Tehran’s Conditions
Pezeshkian is expected to travel to New York with a senior delegation for the United Nations General Assembly.
Washington’s Options
Trump said he would probably be open to meeting Pezeshkian during the visit.
- Iranian conditions
- Seven conditions were conveyed to the United States through Qatar for starting negotiations.
- Conditions publicly described
- An end to the war on all fronts, the release of frozen Iranian funds, and an end to the naval blockade.
- Iranian warning
- Mohsen Rezaei said Iran was prepared for a “decisive war” if Washington rejected its demands.
- Trump’s stated options
- Military escalation, allowing Iran’s economy to deteriorate, or pursuing a negotiated settlement.
- Mediator
- Qatar conveyed Iran’s conditions to Washington.
- Possible meeting
- Trump said he would probably be open to meeting Masoud Pezeshkian in New York.
- Regional warning
- Iran’s central military command warned countries supporting Washington that they could be treated as parties to what it called “mischief”.
