President Donald Trump told his Cabinet at the White House on Wednesday that the United States is not yet satisfied with Iran’s proposal to end the ongoing conflict, warning that if negotiations fail, the U.S. will have to "finish the job." “Iran is negotiating on fumes,” President Trump said, emphasizing that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and that his actions are intended for global security, not just for the U.S. These remarks came during a high-stakes Cabinet meeting after recent U.S. military strikes in southern Iran and near the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has called a "grave violation" of the ceasefire in place.

According to CNN, the U.S. and Iran are working toward a memorandum of understanding, but disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. sanctions remain unresolved. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “Diplomacy is always the first option, and we continue to work on that,” but stressed that the next "hours and days" will determine whether a deal can be reached. He reiterated that the administration’s bottom line is that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

Tensions have escalated after the U.S. carried out what it described as “self-defense strikes” on Iranian missile launch sites and boats around the Strait of Hormuz. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded by warning that its forces are "lying in wait" should the U.S. restart combat operations, as reported by Fox News. Iran has also accused the U.S. of violating the fragile ceasefire and committing "numerous maritime robberies" against Iranian commercial ships.

The terms of a possible agreement under discussion include Iran giving up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in exchange for some sanctions relief. However, U.S. officials have said that sanctions relief is not guaranteed and that Iran’s uranium would need to be destroyed or removed under international supervision, according to WKYC. The potential deal would also require Iran to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within one month, and any final agreement could become a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials have expressed skepticism about the talks, insisting that any steps must be verified and that no agreement is imminent. The Iranian American community in the U.S. remains anxious, with some expressing hope for regime change but also concern for civilian safety and the potential for renewed conflict.

With midterm elections approaching and continued volatility in the Middle East, the timeline for resolving the U.S.–Iran conflict remains uncertain. Secretary of State Rubio noted that President Trump still has “other options available” if diplomacy fails, keeping military action on the table as a last resort.

Armstrong & Getty