President Trump said Friday he was “not satisfied” with a new Iranian proposal to end the war, effectively closing the door on diplomacy for the moment and increasing the likelihood of renewed military strikes. The offer, relayed through Pakistan, arrived as the conflict entered its 10th week and domestic economic pressures intensified. Speaking from Florida, where he planned to attend a PGA event over the weekend, Trump said there was “still no deal in sight.” He added, “So they want to make a deal, but I don’t. I’m not satisfied with it,” and posed a stark choice: “do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever,” though he said he would “prefer not.”
Olivia Gazis, traveling with the president, reported that while negotiations are stalled the administration has informed Congress that hostilities were, the White House said, “terminated.” Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed — a strategic chokepoint for global energy shipments that officials say is pushing prices higher worldwide.
The effects are showing up at the pump. AAA put the national average for a gallon of regular at $4.43, an increase of about $0.04 overnight and more than $1.20 higher than a year ago — the highest level since July 2022. Higher fuel costs are adding political strain for the administration, and polling indicates public support for military action in Iran is at historically low levels.
The president also renewed criticism of U.S. allies, urging NATO partners to do more to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, the U.S. announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, following comments from that country’s chancellor earlier in the week that the United States had been humiliated by Iranian leadership.
With diplomacy stalled and military options being discussed, the situation continues to create economic and political pressure on the administration while energy markets and consumers shoulder rising costs.