Trump Says Iran Talks Fall Short, Keeps Military Option on Table

Says Sending Highly Enriched Uranium to China or Russia Would Make Him “Uncomfortable”

President Donald Trump said talks with Iran to end the conflict have not yet reached a level acceptable to the US. He also warned that military action could resume.

At a White House Cabinet meeting on May 27, Trump said Iran “very much wants to make a deal.” But “so far, they haven’t gotten to the point where we would be satisfied,” he said.

He reiterated his view that Iran’s military capabilities have effectively been neutralized, which he said could help steer negotiations toward terms the US wants. Still, he left open the possibility of renewed airstrikes.

“Iran is negotiating tired,” Trump said. “Maybe we’re going to have to go back and finish it.”

Trump said Iran was starting to offer what the US has demanded. “If they do that, that’d be great,” he said. “If they don’t, the man to my left” — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — “will finish it.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized diplomacy. “Diplomacy is always the first option,” Rubio said. “If that doesn’t work, there are other options.” He added that the US would watch to see whether progress is made in the coming hours or days.

Trump also laid out conditions for any agreement with Iran. He described the Strait of Hormuz as an international waterway that must remain open to all countries and cannot be controlled by anyone under international rules. “We’ll be watching that,” he said.

He also drew a line against sanctions relief or the release of frozen assets sought by Iran. “We’re not talking about easing sanctions or giving them money,” Trump said.

Asked whether Iran’s highly enriched uranium, or HEU, could be handled by China or Russia, Trump rejected the idea. “No. I’d be uncomfortable with that,” he said.

Trump has recently indicated that he is open to disposing of the HEU inside Iran or in a third country under supervision. His latest remarks suggest he would not accept giving that role to China or Russia, which are friendly to Tehran.

He also dismissed speculation that he is rushing to reach a deal with the midterm elections in mind. “I’m not thinking about the midterms,” Trump said. “I’m doing this for the world.”

Oh Se-song, Hankyung.com reporter sesung@hankyung.com