Trump Demands Tougher Iran Deal as Fighting Continues Near Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has sent a proposed peace framework with Iran back to Tehran for revisions, demanding stricter terms as negotiations continue over ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The proposed agreement, aimed at stopping the fighting and restoring commercial passage through one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, remains under review by Iranian officials. But Trump has made clear that he is not prepared to accept a deal that fails to impose stronger limits on Iran’s nuclear ambitions or provide tighter controls over any future release of frozen Iranian assets.

The president has insisted that any agreement must include firm guarantees preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. He has also pushed for stricter conditions before Iranian funds are unfrozen, signaling that sanctions relief and access to frozen assets will not come without clear concessions from Tehran.

Trump has said he is in “no hurry” to finalize an agreement, arguing that a stronger deal is more important than a fast one. He has also warned that U.S. military action could resume if Iran refuses to meet American demands.

The diplomatic pressure comes as brief military exchanges continue around the Strait of Hormuz, where U.S. and Iranian forces have traded strikes in recent days. Those skirmishes have added urgency to the negotiations while also giving both sides leverage at the bargaining table.

Iranian negotiators remain skeptical of Washington’s intentions. Tehran has signaled that it will not agree to any peace framework unless Iranian rights are fully secured, including sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds. Iranian officials have also argued that any lasting agreement must respect the country’s sovereignty while addressing its economic demands.

At home, Trump has pushed back against critics who have questioned the pace of the talks. The president has argued that impatience could lead to a weaker agreement and has defended his approach as a deliberate effort to secure better terms for the United States.

The standoff leaves the region in a fragile position. A deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce the risk of a wider conflict. But continued fighting, deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran, and unresolved disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and frozen assets threaten to keep the crisis alive.

For now, the Trump administration appears to be betting that pressure, patience, and the threat of renewed force will bring Iran back to the table under tougher terms.