**Trump Expects ‘More Talks’ with Iran Amid Rising Tensions**
US President Donald Trump has indicated that he anticipates “more talks” with Iran in the coming week, reiterating his belief that Tehran is eager to negotiate a deal. However, an Iranian security source has dismissed Trump’s statements as an attempt to manipulate the oil market.
In a phone interview with Axios on Sunday, Trump expressed his views just a day after rejecting Iran's latest peace proposal as “unacceptable.” The proposal from Tehran included the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of the US naval blockade and the resumption of nuclear negotiations.
“I expect more talks with Iran. They want to make a deal, but it is not the deal that I want to make. It is what we would have maybe agreed to a year ago. They overplayed their hand,” Trump stated during the interview.
The President also confirmed that the option of resuming full-scale hostilities with Iran remains on the table, asserting that he has “always” considered the possibility of renewing military strikes against the country. In his remarks, Trump claimed that the US had facilitated the transfer of “more than 20 million barrels” of oil through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, marking the largest volume in several months, though still below pre-war levels.
Contrary to Trump’s assertions, Iranian authorities have challenged the narrative of US control over the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate that Iran blocked nearly two dozen vessels from passing through the strait over the weekend. An Iranian security official, speaking to RT, characterized Trump’s comments as “media rhetoric” that fails to reflect the “realities on the ground.”
“The operational reality is that over the past 48 hours, a total of 20 vessels – including seven last night and 13 the night before – were halted while transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” the official stated. He suggested that Trump’s claims were aimed at manipulating oil markets, asserting, “There is no operational and sustainable mechanism for safe navigation through this strategic waterway outside the framework established and approved by the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The official further criticized Trump’s approach, stating, “Donald Trump cannot calm energy markets or conceal the costs of his blockade and hostile policies through show-off and social media posts.”
In a related development, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated the terms of Iran’s peace plan, indicating a willingness to engage in further negotiations while also preparing for continued conflict “even if it comes to a doomsday war.” He emphasized that Iran seeks the release of its assets that are currently frozen, the ability to sell its oil, and adherence to commitments made by the US in previous agreements.
“We want our assets, which are illegally frozen, to be released. We want to be able to sell our oil. We want certain things that the US has already committed itself [to] in the previous deals,” Araghchi stated in an interview with NBC, referencing a June memorandum of understanding.
Reports from the Wall Street Journal have suggested that Trump not only dismissed the Iranian proposal but has also indicated to his aides that he expects to initiate a renewed bombing campaign against Iran following the upcoming November midterm elections in the United States.
As tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate, the international community watches closely, with concerns about the implications for regional stability and global oil markets.