Iran says does not trust US as Trump toughens terms

Iran’s senior negotiator has publicly cautioned that relations with the United States lack the fundamental trust required to finalize a diplomatic agreement, stating that Tehran will only engage in talks under conditions that fully protect its national interests and sovereignty.

These remarks by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf follow reports of an intensified U.S. proposal from President Donald Trump, further exposing the significant gaps that remain between Washington and Tehran in resolving their longstanding disputes.

Further revisions to the drafted agreement may deepen delays in brokering a formal resolution to the Middle East conflict and reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz, issues central to the stalled negotiations that have persisted despite intense diplomatic efforts and intermittent military confrontations.

Iran’s nuclear program has been a persistent point of contention, especially following the February fact-finding missions conducted jointly by U.S. and Israeli authorities that targeted senior Iranian officials and raised tensions in the region.

While Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are for peaceful energy and medical purposes alone, suspicions persist within U.S. and Western intelligence communities that the program may harbor covert weapons development ambitions.

The New York Times and Axios brought attention Saturday to a reported “toughened” revised framework proposed by Trump for negotiations, but the precise terms of this proposal have not been revealed to the public.

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