By Mumo Judah
May 28, 2026 | Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump has declared that he is still “not satisfied” with the terms currently being negotiated in a high-stakes deal between Washington and Tehran, signaling growing uncertainty over ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions between the United States and Iran.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said Iran was eager to reach an agreement but insisted that the proposals currently on the table had not yet met American expectations.
“Iran is very much intent, they want very much to make a deal. So far they haven’t gotten there. We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be,” Trump said.
The remarks came amid increasing global attention on negotiations linked to Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz crisis and broader Middle East security concerns that have fueled fears of further military escalation in the region.
Trump also warned that military action remains an option if negotiations collapse, saying the United States may “have to finish the job” if diplomacy fails.
The comments followed reports aired by Iranian state television claiming that Washington and Tehran were close to finalizing a draft memorandum of understanding that could include easing naval restrictions, reopening parts of the Strait of Hormuz and reducing US military presence in the Gulf region. However, the White House quickly dismissed those reports as “a complete fabrication.”
Trump further insisted that the United States would not rush into any agreement simply for political convenience ahead of America’s upcoming midterm elections.
“They thought they were going to outwait me… I don’t care about the midterms,” Trump stated during the Cabinet meeting.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that there had been “some progress” in the talks but cautioned that negotiations remain fragile and unresolved.
One of the biggest sticking points in the negotiations reportedly revolves around Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium and international control over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
Trump also rejected suggestions that Russia or China could take control of Iran’s enriched uranium reserves under a future agreement, arguing that such an arrangement would create additional geopolitical risks.
The latest developments come against the backdrop of months of heightened military and diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran following conflict in the Gulf region and disputes over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Analysts say the outcome of the negotiations could significantly impact global oil markets, Middle East stability and America’s diplomatic standing ahead of a politically sensitive election season in the United States.
Despite Trump’s tough tone, officials on both sides continue to signal cautious interest in keeping diplomatic channels open as pressure mounts to avoid a broader regional conflict.
