Trump says Iran is ready to negotiate a ceasefire but he s not ready to make a deal

President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that he is not prepared to agree to a deal to end the conflict with Iran, even though the country is ready to negotiate. He explained that the conditions are "not good enough yet" but did not specify what those conditions are. During a nearly 30-minute phone interview with NBC News, Trump mentioned that he is collaborating with other nations to create a strategy for securing the Strait of Hormuz as global oil prices rise. He downplayed concerns among Americans about increasing gas prices since the U.S. and Israel began their joint military actions two weeks ago. Trump also questioned the status of Iran’s new supreme leader, wondering if he is "even alive." He expressed surprise at Iran's attacks on other countries in the Middle East in reaction to the U.S.-Israeli operation, claiming that U.S. airstrikes on Kharg Island on Saturday "totally demolished" much of the island and suggested that "we may hit it a few more times just for fun." Additionally, Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him "far more difficult to make a deal with" compared to Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine. These remarks come after global leaders voiced their concerns following the U.S. easing sanctions on Russian oil to help control rising global oil prices. In the phone interview, Trump reiterated his unwillingness to finalize a deal with Iran at this moment, saying, "Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet." He emphasized that any terms must be "very solid." When asked about the specifics of a potential deal to conclude the war, he replied, "I don’t want to say that to you," but noted that Iran would need to fully abandon any nuclear ambitions as part of the agreement.