Trump Says Iran Deal Is Not His Preferred Option as Witkoff Pursues Talks

US President Donald Trump has said his special envoy Steve Witkoff is making progress in negotiations with Iran, while indicating that reaching a diplomatic agreement is not his preferred option as Washington continues to press Tehran over its nuclear programme and the wider conflict.

Trump comments on negotiations

Speaking at a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas, Trump said Witkoff was doing very well in efforts to negotiate with Iran. He suggested that Tehran was prepared to make significant concessions in an attempt to bring the conflict to an end.

"He's working on the Iran deal and doing very well," Trump said, adding that a deal was "not really something that I want to do." He also claimed that Iran was willing to offer Washington almost anything to stop the fighting.

Trump reiterated his position that Iran would not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. "They will never have a nuclear weapon," he said, while describing Witkoff as a great negotiator and pointing to his role in securing the Gaza ceasefire.

The US president indicated that he expected the conflict with Iran to end soon, although he did not provide a specific timeline for when hostilities might conclude. His comments came as Washington and Tehran continued to face major disagreements over the terms of a potential settlement, with nuclear restrictions and the security situation around the Strait of Hormuz remaining central issues.

Military options remain under consideration

The remarks came amid reports that the White House had asked the Pentagon to prepare military options for possible strikes against Iranian targets, including scenarios that could be considered before the November 3 US midterm elections. Recent reporting indicates that the US military has been instructed to prepare for a possible resumption of major operations, although no final decision to launch such strikes had been publicly announced.

The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran, prompting Tehran to respond with missile and drone attacks across the region. The fighting has also placed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy routes, at the centre of the confrontation. Continued tensions around shipping through the waterway have contributed to concerns over global energy supplies.

Diplomatic efforts face obstacles

Efforts to establish a diplomatic framework have faced repeated difficulties. The United States and Iran previously reached a memorandum of understanding in June following mediation efforts involving Pakistan and Qatar, but implementation subsequently stalled over disagreements, including questions surrounding security and navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

More recent indirect discussions have focused on Iran's nuclear activities, with Washington seeking a broader agreement rather than a temporary arrangement dealing only with maritime access. US officials have also demanded meaningful reductions in Iran's enrichment capacity as part of any agreement aimed at ending the conflict.

Trump's latest comments reflect the uncertainty surrounding the diplomatic track. His administration continues to pursue negotiations through Witkoff while keeping military options under consideration. Washington's public position combines pressure for nuclear concessions with continued diplomatic engagement, leaving the prospects for a lasting agreement dependent on whether the two sides can bridge their differences over Iran's nuclear programme and broader regional security arrangements.