Trump casts doubt on Iran’s ceasefire request, says Israel is “winning”
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Trump Casts Doubts on Iran’s Ceasefire Request, Says Israel is ‘winning’
Trump Casts Doubts on Iran’s Ceasefire Request, Says Israel is ‘winning’ President Trump expressed skepticism over pausing Israel’s offensive against Iran, citing Israel’s battlefield momentum. Iran reiterated it won’t negotiate with the U.S. while Israeli strikes continue. European diplomatic efforts made limited progress, with no new proposals or breakthrough achieved. The E3 ministers emphasized the escalating urgency of finding a negotiated nuclear deal, However, Trump downplayed Europe’S role, asserting that Iran prefers talking to theU.S., not European intermediaries. In contrast, Trump appears to interpret Israeli dominance as a diplomatic leverage, but also a barrier to diplomatic progress in the region. And Europe can make progress in bridging the gap between Israel and Iran on direct involvement, but can it do so without risking its own relations with both sides? And how long before the U.-S. announces its position on the ceasefire? And can Europe make progress on this issue before the United States announces its own position?
Israeli air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Quick Look
Trump doubts timing for Iran ceasefire, emphasizing Israel’s strong footing.
Says ceasefire is “very hard” when one side is winning.
U.S. envoy maintaining contacts with Iran despite current hostilities.
Iran refuses direct negotiations while Israel continues strikes.
Iran open to diplomacy once aggression stops.
Israeli soldiers and first responders check the damage caused to a building from an Iranian strike in Beit She’an today.
Trump Casts Doubts Iran’s Ceasefire Request, Says Israel is ‘winning’
Deep Look
Trump’s stance on ceasefire tied to Israel’s battlefield advantage
President Trump stated Friday that pausing Israel’s military campaign against Iran to allow direct U.S.–Iran negotiations would be “very hard” because Israel is “doing well” in degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Speaking at the Air Force One tarmac, Trump said: “If somebody is winning, it’s a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing,” though he emphasized the U.S. remains “ready, willing and able” to engage diplomatically. He added that “we’ve been speaking to Iran… we’ll see what happens,” referencing envoys led by Steve Witkoff. Trump also suggested he “might” support a ceasefire under certain circumstances but reiterated that Iran is “doing less well” in the conflict.
Background: Iran resisting negotiations amid Israeli strikes
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, met European diplomats in Geneva Friday and reiterated that Iran will not engage directly with the United States while Israel maintains its air campaign. European officials described the meeting as an opportunity to broaden discussions beyond nuclear issues to include missiles, regional proxies, and detainees. While Araghchi signaled Iran’s potential willingness to limit uranium enrichment to nuclear-deal levels, he firmly rejected moving toward zero enrichment— a U.S. demand. Iran is open to further diplomacy but insists Israel cease its airstrikes first.
Trump sets a two-week decision window
Friday’s developments occurred as the U.S. president remains within his earlier two-week deadline for choosing whether to back Israel’s air campaign with U.S. military force. His position is influenced by complex signals—he supports Israel’s ongoing operation but is also publicizing conditions for negotiation. Trump’s contrasting rhetoric—from warning Iran of dire consequences unless it “makes a deal” to hinting at a ceasefire—reflects a strategy aimed at keeping pressure on Tehran.
Europe’s diplomatic push constrained by Israel’s success
European leaders, including officials from the EU, U.K., France, and Germany, have urged Iran to engage in diplomacy—including concessions on nuclear and regional security issues—even as Israeli strikes intensify. While Iran indicated openness to discussions, it remains steadfast in its refusal to negotiate while Israeli aggression continues. The E3 ministers emphasized the escalating urgency of finding a negotiated nuclear deal. However, Trump downplayed Europe’s role, asserting that Iran prefers talking to the U.S., not European intermediaries.
Shifting dynamics and high-stakes timing
Araghchi is set to meet again in Istanbul with OIC ministers and then travel to Moscow to consult with President Putin, delaying another round of European discussions. This sequencing may consume much of Trump’s two-week decision timeframe, complicating U.S. calculations. Iran maintains that serious negotiations will only be possible once Israeli strikes stop. In contrast, Trump appears to interpret Israel’s battlefield dominance as leverage—but also a barrier to diplomatic momentum.
Broader implications
Trump’s position ties U.S. diplomatic flexibility to Israel’s military success rather than Iran’s diplomatic concessions. This stance raises several questions: Will Israel’s current advantage justify delaying ceasefire? How long before the U.S. announces its position on direct involvement? And crucially, can Europe make progress in bridging the gap between security-driven Israeli demands and Iran’s insistence on halting hostilities?
With the Middle East on edge, the next 14 days will be pivotal in determining whether the conflict escalates further or opens a narrow window for peace. As Israel presses ahead militarily, glowing American support may reinforce Israeli gains—but it may also prolong the humanitarian and diplomatic standoff at the center of the crisis.
More on US News
Very hard to stop Israel’s strikes on Iran: Trump doubtful of possible ceasefire
US President Donald Trump has cast a doubt on the possibility of a ceasefire between the two countries. He said on Saturday that it would be “very hard to stop” Israel’s strikes on Iran in order to negotiate a possible ceasefire. Trump made the remarks after he called his own director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard “wrong” in saying that the US believed Iran was not building a nuclear weapon. Trump has sought more time to decide whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility. The facility is buried under a mountain and used to enrich uranium, possibly for making a bomb.
When asked about Iran saying Trump could call on Israel to stop its strikes to further a ceasefire deal, Trump said, “I think it’s very hard to make that request right now.” While Trump did speak in favour of a ceasefire, he said Israel’s strikes on Iran could be “very hard to stop when you look at it.” “Israel’s doing well in terms of war. And, I think, you would say that Iran is doing less well. It’s a little bit hard to get somebody to stop,” Trump said.
His statement came after the White House said Trump saw a “substantial chance of negotiations” amid the conflict, as it said the US was seeking additional time to decide if its military would step in.
Also read: Israel warns of ‘prolonged war’ with Iran as conflict enters ninth day; Donald Trump says Iran only wants US talks
“If somebody is winning, it’s a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing,” Trump said. “But we’re ready, willing and able, and we’ve been speaking to Iran, and we’ll see what happens,” news agency AP quoted him as saying. Trump made the remarks after he called his own director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard “wrong” in saying that the US believed Iran was not building a nuclear weapon.
Trump was asked about Gabbard’s remarks back in March suggesting the US spy agencies believed that Iran wasn’t working on nuclear warheads. The president said, “Well then, my intelligence community is wrong. Who in the intelligence community said that?” Informed that it had been Gabbard, Trump said, “She’s wrong.”
Trump has sought more time to decide whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility. The facility is buried under a mountain and is used to enrich uranium, possibly for making a bomb. Trump has also cast doubts on Iran’s developing nuclear capabilities for civilian pursuits, like power generation. Israel launched strikes on Iran on June 13, calling them “preemptive” and aimed at preventing Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons.
While Trump decides on whether the US will get involved in the Israel-Iran war, he has said he would support a ceasefire, “depending on the circumstances”.
Trump says Tulsi Gabbard was ‘wrong’ about Iran; Israeli strikes could be ‘very hard to stop’
President Donald Trump has said that his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, was “wrong” when she previously said that the U.S. believed Iran wasn’t building a nuclear weapon. He also suggested that it would be “very hard to stop” Israel’s strikes on Iran in order to negotiate a possible ceasefire. Mr. Trump has recently taken a more aggressive public stance toward Tehran as he’s sought more time to weigh whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility. The facility is believed to be out of the reach of all but America’s “bunker-buster” bombs. The President’s comments came a day after the White House said he would decide within two weeks whether the U.-S. military would get directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran. He suggested the two situations were very different, though.
Mr. Trump has recently taken a more aggressive public stance toward Tehran as he’s sought more time to weigh whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility. Buried under a mountain, the facility is believed to be out of the reach of all but America’s “bunker-buster” bombs.
Follow Israel-Iran conflict LIVE on June 21
After landing in New Jersey for an evening fundraiser for his super political action committee on Friday, Mr. Trump was asked about Ms. Gabbard’s comments to Congress in March that U.S. spy agencies believed that Iran wasn’t working on nuclear warheads.
The President responded, “Well then, my intelligence community is wrong. Who in the intelligence community said that?”
Informed that it had been Ms. Gabbard, Mr. Trump said, “She’s wrong.”
In a subsequent post on X, Ms. Gabbard said her testimony was taken out of context “as a way to manufacture division”.
“America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalise the assembly,” she wrote. “President Trump has been clear that can’t happen, and I agree.”
Still, disavowing Ms. Gabbard’s previous assessment came a day after the White House said Mr. Trump would decide within two weeks whether the U.S. military would get directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran. It said seeking additional time was “based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future”.
But on Friday, Mr. Trump himself seemed to cast doubts on the possibility of talks leading to a pause in fighting between Israel and Iran. He said that, while he might support a ceasefire, Israel’s strikes on Iran could be “very hard to stop.”
Asked about Iran suggesting that, if the U.S. was serious about furthering negotiations, it could call on Israel to stop its strikes, Mr. Trump responded, “I think it’s very hard to make that request right now.”
“If somebody is winning, it’s a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing,” Mr. Trump said. “But we’re ready, willing and able, and we’ve been speaking to Iran, and we’ll see what happens.”
The President later added, “It’s very hard to stop when you look at it.”
“Israel’s doing well in terms of war. And, I think, you would say that Iran is doing less well. It’s a little bit hard to get somebody to stop,” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Trump campaigned on decrying “endless wars” and has vowed to be an international peacemaker. That’s led some, even among conservatives, to point to Mr. Trump’s past criticism of the U.S. invasion of Iraq beginning in 2003 as being at odds with his more aggressive stance toward Iran now.
Mr. Trump suggested the two situations were very different, though.
“There were no weapons of mass destruction. I never thought there were. And that was somewhat pre-nuclear. You know, it was, it was a nuclear age, but nothing like it is today,” Mr. Trump said of his past criticism of the administration of President George W Bush.
He added of Iran’s current nuclear programme, “It looked like I’m right about the material that they’ve gathered already. It’s a tremendous amount of material.”
Mr. Trump also cast doubts on Iran’s developing nuclear capabilities for civilian pursuits, like power generation.
“You’re sitting on one of the largest oil piles anywhere in the world,” he said. “It’s a little bit hard to see why you’d need that.”
‘I think it’s very hard’: Trump casts doubt on Iran-Israel ceasefire
‘I think it’s very hard’: Trump casts doubt on Iran-Israel ceasefire. Trump highlighted the difficulties in persuading Israel to halt its offensive actions while enjoying a perceived military advantage. Trump stated that Gabbard was “wrong” in claiming that US intelligence agencies had concluded Iran was not actively pursuing nuclear weapons. He maintained that the United States possesses the capability to act decisively if deemed necessary. The White House indicated a degree of cautious optimism regarding the potential for future negotiations, with the administration requesting additional time to determine whether to take any military steps.
Junaid Dar Published: 21 Jun 2025 12:33:PM
Israel-Iran conflict, Ceasefire, Trump, US role, Military advantage, Iran nuclear weapons, Gabbard, Middle East conflict, Diplomatic efforts, Peace negotiations Read More
US President Donald Trump. (Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, US President Donald Trump has injected a note of scepticism regarding the feasibility of a swift ceasefire.
In a recent statement, Trump expressed doubt about the possibility of halting Israel’s military strikes on Iranian targets, suggesting that such a request would be exceptionally challenging at the current moment. “I think it’s very hard to make that request right now,” Trump said.
Despite indicating support for a ceasefire, Trump highlighted the difficulties in persuading Israel to halt its offensive actions while enjoying a perceived military advantage. He pointed out the complexities of brokering peace when one side is winning, suggesting that such situations often require additional incentives and diplomatic manoeuvring.
While expressing openness to mediation efforts, he acknowledged the inherent challenges involved in halting military operations once underway. “Israel’s doing well in terms of war. And, I think, you would say that Iran is doing less well. It’s a little bit hard to get somebody to stop,” Trump said.
“If somebody is winning, it’s a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing,” Trump said. “But we’re ready, willing and able, and we’ve been speaking to Iran, and we’ll see what happens,” news agency AP quoted him as saying.
These remarks come as the White House indicated a degree of cautious optimism regarding the potential for future negotiations, with the administration requesting additional time to determine whether to take any military steps.
He maintained that the United States possesses the capability to act decisively if deemed necessary, while also revealing ongoing communication with Iranian officials.
Trump’s assertions were accompanied by criticism directed at the US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. Trump stated that Gabbard was “wrong” in claiming that US intelligence agencies had concluded Iran was not actively pursuing nuclear weapons. Trump rejected this assessment, stating that his own intelligence community had reached a different conclusion
While Trump stated that he would support a ceasefire, he clearly emphasised this would only happen “depending on the circumstances”.
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Trump says intelligence director was ‘wrong’ in remarks about Iran building a nuclear weapon
President Donald Trump said his director of national intelligence was “wrong” when she previously said the U.S. believed Iran wasn’t building a nuclear weapon. Trump suggested that it would be “very hard to stop” Israel’s strikes on Iran in order to negotiate a possible ceasefire. Gabbard said her testimony was taken out of context “as a way to manufacture division.’’ Trump said of his past criticism of the administration of President George. W. Bush: “It looked like I’m right about the amount of material that they’ve gathered already. It’�s a tremendous amount’ ’“Trump also cast doubts on Iran’S developing nuclear capabilities for civilian pursuits, like power generation. “You’re sitting on one of the largest one piles of oil piles of anywhere in the world,” he said of the nuclear-capable Fordo uranium enrichment facility.
Trump has recently taken a more aggressive public stance toward Tehran as he’s sought more time to weigh whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility. Buried under a mountain, the facility is believed to be out of the reach of all but America’s “bunker-buster” bombs.
After landing in New Jersey for an evening fundraiser for his super political action committee, Trump was asked about Gabbard’s comments to Congress in March that U.S. spy agencies believed that Iran wasn’t working on nuclear warheads. The president responded, “Well then, my intelligence community is wrong. Who in the intelligence community said that?”
Informed that it had been Gabbard, Trump said, “She’s wrong.”
In a subsequent post on X, Gabbard said her testimony was taken out of context “as a way to manufacture division.”
“America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalize the assembly,” she wrote. “President Trump has been clear that can’t happen, and I agree.”
Still, disavowing Gabbard’s previous assessment came a day after the White House said Trump would decide within two weeks whether the U.S. military would get directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran. It said seeking additional time was “based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future.”
But on Friday, Trump himself seemed to cast doubts on the possibility of talks leading to a pause in fighting between Israel and Iran. He said that, while he might support a ceasefire, Israel’s strikes on Iran could be “very hard to stop.”
Asked about Iran suggesting that, if the U.S. was serious about furthering negotiations, it could call on Israel to stop its strikes, Trump responded, “I think it’s very hard to make that request right now.”
“If somebody is winning, it’s a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing,” Trump said. “But we’re ready, willing and able, and we’ve been speaking to Iran, and we’ll see what happens.”
The president later added, “It’s very hard to stop when you look at it.”
“Israel’s doing well in terms of war. And, I think, you would say that Iran is doing less well. It’s a little bit hard to get somebody to stop,” Trump said.
Views on war from some Trump supporters have changed over time. (CNN, REAL AMERICA’S VOICE, TUCKER CARLSON SHOW, GETTY IMAGES, AVN, IRIB, CNN, AVN/IRIB)
Trump campaigned on decrying “endless wars” and has vowed to be an international peacemaker. That’s led some, even among conservatives, to point to Trump’s past criticism of the U.S. invasion of Iraq beginning in 2003 as being at odds with his more aggressive stance toward Iran now.
Trump suggested the two situations were very different, though.
“There were no weapons of mass destruction. I never thought there were. And that was somewhat pre-nuclear. You know, it was, it was a nuclear age, but nothing like it is today,” Trump said of his past criticism of the administration of President George W. Bush.
He added of Iran’s current nuclear program, “It looked like I’m right about the material that they’ve gathered already. It’s a tremendous amount of material.”
Trump also cast doubts on Iran’s developing nuclear capabilities for civilian pursuits, like power generation.
“You’re sitting on one of the largest oil piles anywhere in the world,” he said. “It’s a little bit hard to see why you’d need that.”
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