President Donald Trump warned during a Cabinet meeting today that Iran must give the United States what it is seeking in negotiations, saying Pete Hegseth could “finish them off” if Tehran does not, according to a White House Rapid Response post on X.
“They’re starting to give us the things that they have to give us — and if they do, that’s great, and if they won’t, then the man on my left is going to finish them off,” Trump said.
Trump was referring to Hegseth, who was seated to his left during the Cabinet meeting.
The president also said the United States is not considering easing sanctions on Iran. Asked whether the U.S. was considering easing sanctions to allow Iran to sell crude oil to market, Trump said, “No, we’re not talking about any easing of sanctions or giving money.”
Trump said the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, describing it as “international waters.”
“The Strait has gotta be open to everybody,” Trump said. “Nobody’s going to control it.”
On negotiations with Iran, Trump said Tehran “very much” wants to make a deal, but he said talks have not yet produced an agreement the U.S. considers satisfactory.
“We can make a good deal right now, but maybe not a great deal — and if it’s not a great deal, we’re not making it,” Trump said.
Hegseth also said the U.S. was prepared to act if negotiations fail to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.
The remarks came after Iranian state television reported Wednesday that it had obtained a draft of an “initial, unofficial” framework for a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran involving commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The White House rejected the report, calling the alleged memorandum “not true” and “a complete fabrication.”
According to Iranian state TV, the reported framework said the United States would withdraw military forces from Iran’s vicinity and lift a naval blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran would oversee ship traffic through the strait in coordination with Oman. The reported draft also said military vessels would be excluded from the arrangement.
Iranian state TV said the framework was not finalized and that Tehran would take no steps without “tangible verification,” according to Reuters.
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