US President Donald Trump has declared that his patience with Iran is running thin, urging Tehran to finalize a deal with Washington. In a Thursday night interview on Fox News’ “Hannity,” Trump emphasized the need for Iran to come to an agreement soon.
When questioned about efforts to recover Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, Trump suggested the issue was more symbolic than a critical security concern. He stated that while he personally preferred to have the uranium, the matter was largely about public perception rather than necessity.
The United States, recognized as one of the nine nuclear-armed nations globally, has consistently demanded that Iran transfer its highly enriched uranium abroad and cease domestic enrichment activities. Iran, denying any intention to develop nuclear weapons, maintains its right to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including uranium enrichment.
Earlier this week, Iranian parliamentary spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei warned that Tehran could enrich uranium to 90 percent purity—considered weapons-grade—if the country were attacked again. This statement underscores the fragile nature of the ongoing ceasefire, which has lasted over five weeks without clear progress toward a formal resolution of the conflict.
The conflict escalated after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran on Israel and Gulf states hosting American military bases. The hostilities, including Israeli strikes in Lebanon, have resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions.
Human rights organizations have condemned Trump’s rhetoric during the conflict, particularly his threats against civilian infrastructure and his comparison of US naval blockades on Iranian ports to “piracy.”
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts have stalled as the US seeks Chinese assistance to resolve the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. With midterm elections approaching in November, the conflict has become a significant political challenge for the Trump administration. However, analysts suggest Chinese President Xi Jinping is unlikely to pressure Tehran significantly or reduce military support, viewing Iran as a strategic counterbalance to the US.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking from Beijing, indicated that China would likely attempt to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the importance of stability in this critical waterway. Prior to the conflict, nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through this strait.
Despite these efforts, negotiations have remained deadlocked since last week after both Washington and Tehran rejected each other’s proposals. The UAE’s Fujairah oil export terminal, located on the Gulf of Oman outside the Strait of Hormuz, has gained importance by allowing some oil shipments to bypass the strategic chokepoint.
Iran appears to be negotiating selective passage agreements with several countries, permitting some vessels to transit the strait under Tehran’s conditions. For instance, a Japanese oil tanker passed through the strait on Wednesday following a request from Japan’s prime minister to the Iranian president. On the same day, a large Chinese tanker also crossed, and Iran’s Fars News Agency reported an agreement allowing some Chinese ships to transit.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed that 30 vessels had crossed the strait since Wednesday evening. Although this number remains well below the approximately 140 daily crossings recorded before the conflict, it represents a significant increase if confirmed. Shipping analytics firm Kpler noted that around 10 ships had passed through the strait in the past 24 hours, compared to five to seven daily crossings in recent weeks.
Thousands of Iranians have died in US and Israeli airstrikes during the early phase of the war, while renewed clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group have also caused thousands of casualties in Lebanon. Talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials in Washington on Thursday were described as “productive and positive,” with discussions set to continue on Friday.
Trump has outlined the war’s objectives as dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, reducing its capacity to attack neighboring countries, and fostering conditions for Iranians to overthrow their government. Admiral Brad Cooper told a US Senate committee that Iran’s ability to threaten regional partners and US interests had been “significantly degraded,” asserting that Iran no longer posed the same threats across all domains as before.
However, Cooper refrained from commenting on reports indicating that Iran still possesses substantial missile and drone capabilities. Despite suppressing anti-government protests earlier this year, Iran’s leadership has not faced organized domestic opposition since the conflict began. Analysts note that Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz has enhanced its leverage in ongoing negotiations.
Washington demands that Iran relinquish its enriched uranium stockpile and cease further enrichment, while Tehran seeks sanctions relief, compensation for war damages, and recognition of its authority over the strategic waterway.
