Trump Rejects Easing Sanctions on Iran and Casts Doubt on Imminent Deal

President Donald Trump has cast doubt on the prospect of an imminent deal with Iran, saying he is not prepared to ease sanctions and rejecting reports that Washington is considering concessions as part of the talks. According to Bloomberg and a White House meeting report, Trump told Cabinet officials that the United States would keep economic pressure on Tehran while negotiations continue.

The comments came as the administration was still engaged in high-stakes diplomacy aimed at preventing further escalation in the region and resolving questions tied to Iran’s nuclear program. Trump said he was not satisfied with the terms currently being discussed, and he repeated that the U.S. would not give Iran access to relief or funds as part of the negotiations.

Bloomberg reported that Trump’s remarks appeared to undercut optimism that a breakthrough was close, even after he had recently suggested on social media that the two sides had largely reached an understanding. The president’s latest statements suggested major gaps remain, especially over sanctions and the handling of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.

During the Cabinet meeting, Trump also addressed the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane for global energy markets, saying no single country would control it. That point matters because tensions involving Iran have raised concerns about possible disruptions to oil and gas shipments through the waterway, which would have broader consequences for prices and supply.

The issue is politically and economically significant for both sides. For Washington, sanctions remain one of its main tools of leverage over Tehran. For Iran, sanctions relief is a central incentive in any deal, making Trump’s refusal to signal flexibility a major obstacle to a quick agreement.

The latest comments also fit with Trump’s broader long-running approach toward Iran, which has emphasized pressure over accommodation. The White House has not indicated any immediate change in policy, leaving negotiations in place but with uncertainty over whether they can produce a deal soon.