On Wednesday, President Donald Trump expressed his frustration over Iran’s inability to finalize a deal, emphasizing the need for the country to “get smart soon.”
Trump took to his Truth Social platform and said: “Iran can't get their act together. They don't know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon,” he wrote.
He also attached a picture of himself wielding a weapon in a battlefield with the words: “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”
Trump Weighs Options Amid Deal Deadlock
The stalemate in peace talks has raised concerns worldwide. Reports suggested that Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and extending the truce via Pakistani mediators, while delaying nuclear talks. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has flagged concerns over Iran’s “deeply fractured” leadership and the ambiguity in their terms. Rubio warned that if Iran's version of "open" means ships must seek Iranian permission or pay fees, that's not freedom of navigation at all.
Sources told Axios that Trump is weighing new military strikes against relying on sanctions to pressure Iran into nuclear talks. Advisers say he is frustrated but cautious, reluctant to use force, yet unwilling to back down. Some of Trump's senior advisers favor keeping the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and increasing economic pressure on Iran before considering further military action.
Meanwhile, a Wednesday report by Axios suggested that Trump met oil and gas executives, including Chevron (NYSE:CVX) CEO Mike Wirth, to discuss the Iran war's impact on energy markets, as supply disruptions drive both risks and opportunities for the industry.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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