Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest offer for a new nuclear agreement, insisting that uranium enrichment will continue on Iranian soil. Khamenei dismissed the American demands as “nonsense” and claimed, “America’s leaders are rude and vulgar.”
Trump, in turn, responded. In a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, Trump stressed that Iran’s decision would have serious consequences. “The Iranians are stalling on this crucial decision and must provide a final answer soon,” he said. “If they continue to insist, they’ll face severe consequences.”
Israeli Strike or Agreement?
Trump stated he does not trust Iran but believes it is still possible to reach an effective agreement — one that would include full oversight, the targeted destruction of nuclear facilities, and no casualties.
Against this backdrop, Trump shared that he told Prime Minister Netanyahu not to strike Iran “at this stage” to preserve the chance of a deal.
“I told Netanyahu it’s not appropriate at this point. We’re close to an agreement, and if it succeeds — it could change Iran’s future as a country,” Trump said.
“Now is not the time to act. If we can reach a deal with supervision — we can neutralize the threat without sending troops,” he emphasized. However, voices in Israel suggest otherwise. Security officials hint that they will not wait for a problematic agreement that gives Iran time. Israeli sources report close coordination with the Americans, but stress that “all options are on the table.”
Concern in Washington
According to a New York Times report, there is growing tension between Jerusalem and Washington regarding coordination. American officials reportedly fear that Israel may launch a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities without prior warning — possibly within hours. Netanyahu’s office quickly denied the claim, calling it “fake news.”
The report stated that Netanyahu clarified in a phone call that Israel will not hesitate to take military action if it senses a significant American concession. Israeli security sources say a high state of readiness is in place, and a rapid strike is being assessed should talks collapse.
U.S. Sanctions: A Blow to Iran
In the background are U.S. sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on Iran’s oil sector, which require countries — especially China — to stop purchasing Iranian oil. These sanctions continue to inflict heavy damage on the Iranian economy. According to Bloomberg, Iranian oil exports to China dropped 20% in May compared to the same month last year, reaching only 1.1 million barrels per day. China remains a major customer and key economic partner for Iran, and this decline is a serious blow to the regime.
Iran Attempts to Circumvent the Sanctions
In response, Iran is trying to bypass sanctions through covert mechanisms — including ship-to-ship oil transfers at sea, intended to obscure the oil’s origin. Trump warned that anyone continuing to buy oil from Iran will face harsh American sanctions.
“The Iranians will face serious consequences if they persist,” Trump reiterated, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
