United States President Donald Trump has rejected a proposed agreement with Iran to end the ongoing war, saying the terms offered by Tehran fall short of Washington’s expectations and signalling that the conflict could continue despite diplomatic overtures.Trump said Iran appeared willing to negotiate an end to hostilities but indicated that the White House would not accept any deal unless it met tougher conditions. “Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” he said during an interview with American media, underlining Washington’s insistence on stronger commitments from Tehran.
Fighting between the United States-Israel coalition and Iran has intensified since the war erupted on 28 February, when coordinated strikes targeted Iranian military and nuclear-related facilities. Iranian forces responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel, United States bases in the region and shipping routes in the Persian Gulf, widening the confrontation and raising concerns across global energy markets.
One of the most significant flashpoints has been the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments normally pass through the strait, making any disruption to its traffic a major threat to international energy supplies.
Shipping through the route has fallen sharply since the outbreak of hostilities. Tanker traffic dropped dramatically after Iranian warnings that vessels risk attack if they pass through the channel during the conflict. Insurance costs for tankers have surged, and many shipping companies have diverted vessels or halted voyages altogether as fears of mines and missile strikes grow.
Trump has urged allied countries to help secure the strait and ensure that commercial shipping can resume safely. Washington has called on several nations, including European and Asian partners, to deploy naval forces to escort tankers and deter attacks on maritime traffic.
The appeal reflects growing alarm among energy producers and importers over the impact of the conflict on global oil flows. Analysts warn that prolonged disruption to the strait could tighten supplies and drive energy prices higher, affecting economies far beyond the Middle East.
Iran has adopted a different stance, insisting that the strait remains open to most countries but warning that vessels linked to the United States or Israel would not be allowed to pass. Tehran says its measures are aimed at responding to what it calls aggression against its territory and energy infrastructure.
At the centre of the military campaign has been Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal. United States forces have launched repeated strikes on the facility, arguing that targeting the hub weakens Tehran’s ability to finance military operations. Iranian authorities have condemned the attacks as an attempt to cripple the country’s economy and escalate the war.
The destruction of energy infrastructure has added another layer of volatility to oil markets already shaken by disruptions in shipping. Brent crude prices have climbed above levels not seen in several years, reflecting concerns about the reliability of supplies from the Gulf.
Casualties have mounted as the conflict spreads across multiple fronts. Hundreds of people in Iran have been killed during airstrikes and missile attacks, while retaliatory strikes by Tehran have caused deaths in Israel and damage at military sites linked to the United States in the region.
Regional tensions have also drawn in other actors. Armed groups aligned with Iran have stepped up attacks in neighbouring countries, and several Gulf states have strengthened security around critical infrastructure and ports amid fears that the war could spill further across the region.
Diplomatic channels remain uncertain. Middle Eastern mediators have explored the possibility of brokering talks between Washington and Tehran, but the latest statements from the White House suggest little appetite for negotiations unless Iran accepts sweeping conditions related to its nuclear programme, missile development and regional influence.
Iranian officials maintain that any agreement must respect national sovereignty and lift sanctions imposed by Washington. Hardline factions within the country argue that concessions under pressure would weaken Iran’s strategic position, especially after attacks on key facilities.
Military deployments around the Persian Gulf continue to expand as both sides prepare for a prolonged confrontation. United States naval forces have stepped up patrols near the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian units have warned that they will respond forcefully to any attempt to challenge their control of nearby waters.
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