Trump Rejects Ceasefire, Demands Iran Abandon Nuclear Program

(The Post News)- US President Donald Trump has ruled out the possibility of a ceasefire in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, insisting instead on a total shutdown of Iran’s nuclear program. Speaking en route to Washington after abruptly leaving a G7 summit in Canada, Trump told CBS News, “I’m not looking for a ceasefire. I want an end. A real end.”

Mr. Trump’s comments come amid growing fears of a broader regional war, with Israel continuing to bomb Iranian targets. Trump predicted that Israel would not scale back its campaign, suggesting a critical turning point was imminent. “You’re going to find out over the next two days… Nobody’s slowed up so far,” he said. Israel’s strikes have reportedly crippled parts of Iran’s military command and damaged its controversial nuclear infrastructure.

Trump made it clear he expects Israel to carry out the mission without direct American military involvement. Still, he warned Iran not to retaliate against US forces, saying, “We’ll come down so hard if they do anything to our people.” The pressure comes against the backdrop of a standoff over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers. Trump, who walked away from the deal in 2018, is pushing for a tougher agreement. Iran, however, remains unwilling to end its civilian nuclear activities without sanctions relief.

“They didn’t accept our offer,” Trump said, referring to a pre-attack proposal demanding Iran halt uranium enrichment. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is open to talks, but only if there’s a genuine diplomatic path forward. “If President Trump is serious about diplomacy and stopping this war, the next steps are crucial,” he said in a statement. Trump hinted he might send special envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance for talks, but admitted, “I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Trump’s hard stance, saying diplomacy had failed. “They want to stop and keep producing the tools of death,” Netanyahu said. He outlined three key objectives: dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, eliminating its ballistic missile capabilities, and ending support for militant groups.

Despite the aggressive posture, US intelligence has maintained that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon. In a briefing to lawmakers earlier this year, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines’ predecessor mentioned Iran’s nuclear weapons program was suspended in 2003. Meanwhile, the human toll of the conflict is rising. Iranian officials have reported at least 220 deaths, many of them civilians. In Israel, 24 people have died from missile attacks, some of which bypassed air defenses. Both sides have warned that more attacks are likely.