Trump Says Iran Wants a Deal, Rezaei Cites Mixed Signals

U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: “The failing Nation of Iran wants to make a deal, quickly and badly. I will determine whether or not the USA will choose to engage – The concept of which we are open to.” ^[1] The post reflected a change in Trump’s position, as he recently said he was no longer interested in negotiations with Iran, the report stated ^[1].

Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, responded on X: “Don’t get distracted by the U.S. president’s mixed signals -- from ‘no negotiations’ to ‘we’re ready to talk,’” according to the statement ^[2]. Rezaei added: “The stakes around oil and the straits have changed. Damage control won’t stop what’s coming. No talks until Iran’s conditions are met. Period!” ^[2].

The exchange came amid months of conflicting public signals from both capitals. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, told reporters that Qatari, Pakistani and Omani officials were focused on “a short-term resolution that would help us reignite the talks,” while noting that no direct talks were planned, according to the BBC ^[3]. Iran’s foreign ministry has denied Trump’s assertions that direct negotiations were under way, the BBC reported ^[3].

Iran’s Conditions Linked to June Memorandum of Understanding

While Rezaei did not specify Iran’s conditions, Iranian officials have said in recent weeks that a deal was possible only if the U.S. fulfilled commitments agreed to under a Memorandum of Understanding in June ^[1]. The MoU included an end to the blockade of Iranian ports, sanctions relief for Iran, and an end to Israel’s war in Lebanon, officials said ^[1].

According to the report, there is no indication that Trump is willing to fulfill those commitments ^[1]. Earlier reporting described a one-page memorandum of understanding that proposed a 30-day halt to hostilities, sanctions relief and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran reviewing the proposal through Pakistani media ^[4]. A separate report stated that Iran was reviewing a U.S. 14-point peace proposal that could end the two-month war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz while imposing a ten-year ban on Iranian uranium enrichment ^[5].

Earlier in the year, the White House had issued a “no dust, no dollars” ultimatum demanding that Iran surrender its enriched uranium before any sanctions relief, according to a report published in May 2026 ^[6]. Trump also said at the time that it was “too soon” to prepare for a peace-signing ceremony in Islamabad, following reports that the two sides were closing in on a framework to end their 67-day war, according to another report ^[7]. The terms of the MoU and the current U.S. position remain central to whether negotiations can begin, officials said ^[1].

US Said to Reject MoU as Sanctions Pressure Increases

A recent report from Middle East Eye said the U.S. told Iran through Pakistan and Qatar that it would not return to the MoU ^[1]. The message was delivered on August 24, the same day that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced what he called an “economic D-Day” against Iran, the report stated ^[1].

On August 19, 2026, Trump announced that “ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences,” adding, “This will be an ECONOMIC D-DAY,” according to Responsible Statecraft ^[8]. Sanctions so far have targeted Iran’s airlines and a few foreign banks accused of doing business with Tehran ^[1].

The U.S. has not publicly confirmed the message delivered through Pakistan and Qatar, officials said ^[1]. In a related development, the U.S. military has reduced the daily window in which it offers air defense to commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Financial Times report ^[9]. Trump also said on September 13 that the United States could ultimately remain in Iran and “keep the oil” in a similar manner to his administration’s move to control some of Venezuela’s oil reserves, according to The Epoch Times ^[10]. “We’ll ultimately get out [of Iran], unless we decide to stay and keep the oil like Venezuela,” Trump said, adding that U.S. revenue from Venezuela has “paid for the war many times,” the report stated ^[10].

No Indication of Negotiations or Timetable

There is no indication that Trump is willing to meet Iran’s stated conditions, and no talks have been scheduled, according to officials ^[1]. Rezaei’s statement said no negotiations would occur until Iran’s conditions are met, without providing a timeline ^[1].

Rezaei said in late August that Tehran was preparing a list for mediators of its conditions to open the Strait of Hormuz, including ending the war in the region, according to Middle East Eye ^[11]. In an interview with Lebanon’s Al Manar TV, Rezaei said Iran had agreed to a transit corridor with Oman, adding that ships would transit through a designated central channel in the strait if the U.S. meets Tehran’s conditions, the report stated ^[11].

Both sides have not announced any change in position ^[1]. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, said that the geographical coordinates of a route proposed by Iran and Oman in the Strait of Hormuz had been agreed upon, and that a joint statement between the two countries was in the final review and drafting stage ^[12]. Baghaei also said that drawing up the maritime transit route plan with Oman had been time-consuming due to security complexities ^[13].

References

1. Dave DeCamp. "Iranian Security Chief Says No Talks With US Until 'Iran's Conditions Are Met'". Antiwar.com. September 14, 2026.
2. Middle East Eye. "Iranian official says no talks until Tehran's conditions are met". Middle East Eye. September 14, 2026.
3. BBC. "Qatar says US-Iran mediation efforts continuing but no direct talks planned". BBC. August 4, 2026.
4. NaturalNews.com. "US nears framework for Iran deal as Trump demands surrender of enriched uranium". NaturalNews.com. May 08, 2026.
5. Willow Tohi. "US Iran peace talks advance as Tehran reviews 14 point proposal to end war". NaturalNews.com. May 09, 2026.
6. Cassie B. "No Dust, No Dollars: White House Draws Hard Line in Iran Nuclear Talks". NaturalNews.com. May 26, 2026.
7. Garrison Vance. "Trump Says 'Too Soon' for Iran Peace Deal Signing, Enrichment Dispute Continues". NaturalNews.com. May 08, 2026.
8. Responsible Statecraft. "Why 'D-Day' was destined to be a dud". Responsible Statecraft. September 5, 2026.
9. The Cradle. "US Limits Its Air Defense Coverage For Tankers Sailing Through Hormuz: Report". ZeroHedge. September 13, 2026.
10. Jack Phillips. "Trump Says US Could Remain In Iran And Keep Oil, Similar To Deal With Venezuela". The Epoch Times. September 14, 2026.
11. Middle East Eye. "Iran is preparing list of conditions to reopen Hormuz, says security chief". Middle East Eye. August 27, 2026.
12. ZeroHedge. "Iran-Oman Hormuz Route 'Agreed To' As Iran Warns Against US 'Interference'". ZeroHedge. August 5, 2026.
13. Middle East Eye. "Iran says talks with Oman continue on new Hormuz transit route". Middle East Eye. August 17, 2026.

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