Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration remains "not satisfied" in the ongoing negotiations with Iran, despite Iran's eagerness to finalize a peace agreement with the United States. Trump emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to all, countering Iran's attempts to control the strategic waterway.

According to Yonhap News Agency, President Trump made these remarks during a Cabinet meeting, highlighting that the United States and Iran are working to close the gap on a memorandum of understanding aimed at extending their ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and continuing discussions on Iran's nuclear program. Trump reiterated that Iran is negotiating from a position of weakness, stating that their military capabilities have been significantly diminished.

Trump dismissed the notion of easing sanctions or releasing Iran's frozen assets as part of the current negotiations. He maintained that sanctions relief is not on the table, despite Iran's requests. The president also rejected any possibility of allowing China or Russia to take control of Iran's enriched uranium.

Discussing the Strait of Hormuz, Trump asserted that it will remain open to international traffic and not fall under the control of any single nation, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. This position is part of the broader negotiation strategy, with Trump stressing that the U.S. will ensure the waterway remains accessible to all.

Trump expressed confidence in the progress of the negotiations, noting that U.S. negotiators are making headway. However, he made it clear that if Iran fails to meet U.S. demands, military options remain on the table, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ready to take further action if necessary.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged some progress in the negotiations and reiterated the U.S. preference for a diplomatic resolution, while affirming that Iran will never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons under Trump's presidency.

The White House's "Rapid Response" team refuted claims from Iranian media regarding a draft memorandum that suggested the U.S. would lift its naval blockade and withdraw troops in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The team emphasized the importance of relying on verified information over Iranian state media reports.