US and Iran Talk Amid Conflict: Trump Warns Tehran Not Yet Ready for Deal

Despite escalating military strikes across the Middle East, President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the United States and Iran are actively engaged in negotiations to end their ongoing conflict. However, Trump cautioned that Tehran, Iran capital city, is 'not yet ready for a deal,' even as he noted their increased seriousness in discussions. This comes after Bahrain and Kuwait reportedly launched direct attacks on Iranian military sites for the first time, adding to an already tense regional situation. Just weeks ago, the situation seemed to be easing, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in June 2026 that temporarily lifted some US sanctions on Iranian oil exports through General License X (GL X). But that fragile relief quickly evaporated. On July 7, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) revoked GL X, reinstating a broad ban on trade, and Trump declared the 'ceasefire agreement' over just a day later. Meanwhile, Iran Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, insists the problem lies with the US approach, not a lack of mediators like Pakistan and Qatar, while hardliners in Iran view any ceasefire as a strategic misstep. With both sides trading military blows – including Iran claims of striking US bases and US Central Command reporting 13 consecutive nights of strikes on Iranian targets – the path forward is anything but clear. The Strait of Hormuz remains a volatile choke point, impacting global energy markets, and the US president has publicly maintained that the US is 'locked and loaded' should diplomacy fail. All eyes are now on whether ongoing backdoor diplomacy can bridge the widening gap, or if the region will plunge into even deeper conflict.