• The United States disclosed that it is fully capable of resuming military action against Iran if peace negotiations fail
• President Donald Trump insists any deal must prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons
• However, Iran denied reports that a final agreement has been reached

The United States has warned that it is fully prepared to resume military operations against Iran if ongoing peace negotiations fail, as uncertainty continues to surround efforts to end the conflict that has shaken the Middle East and global markets.

The warning came after the United States President, Donald Trump, reiterated that any agreement with Tehran must meet Washington's key conditions, including a permanent commitment by Iran not to develop nuclear weapons.

Although the White House recently indicated that a preliminary agreement could be close, Iranian officials insisted that no final deal had been reached.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, a proposed agreement is awaiting Trump's approval following weeks of delicate talks.

However, the US president reportedly left a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room on Friday, May 29, without making a final decision.

Speaking at a major defence summit in Singapore on Saturday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed that Washington retained the capability to return to military action if required.

"Our ability to recommence if necessary is (that) we are more than capable, our stockpiles are more than suited for that," Hegseth said, adding that US forces remain ready both in the Middle East and globally.

The statement echoed a message from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which said American troops remain deployed and vigilant across the region.

Diplomatic efforts, mediated by Pakistan, have faced fresh challenges following recent US strikes on Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas and Tehran's retaliatory response. Despite the setbacks, negotiations have continued behind the scenes.

At the same time, discussions aimed at ending hostilities involving Lebanon have also progressed.

Iran has maintained that developments in Lebanon must form part of any comprehensive settlement to the wider conflict.

Trump reaffirmed that his administration's priorities include preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and ensuring the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

"President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines," a White House official said, stressing that "Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon."

Iran, however, rejected what it described as Washington's demands. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated that the country "said goodbye to the language of 'must' 47 years ago," while confirming that negotiations were still ongoing.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also expressed support for a negotiated settlement during a phone conversation with Qatar's Emir, saying Tehran was prepared to reach a "dignified framework" to end the conflict.

Meanwhile, disagreements remain over the details of a potential agreement.

Trump claimed Iran would remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz and reopen the crucial maritime route without imposing tolls, while the United States would lift restrictions on Iranian ports.

The president also suggested that both countries would cooperate in removing and destroying Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles and that no funds would be exchanged at the current stage of negotiations.

However, Iran's Fars news agency reported that Tehran is seeking the immediate release of $12 billion in frozen assets before advancing to the next phase of talks.

Iranian sources also disputed Trump's assertions regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the destruction of nuclear materials, describing those claims as inaccurate.

Public uncertainty remains high. Ali, a resident of Tonekabon in northern Iran, said conflicting statements from both governments made it difficult to determine the true state of negotiations.

"Both sides are speaking in a way that keeps their supporters satisfied. It's not clear who is telling the truth," he said.

Elsewhere, fighting continues in Lebanon despite efforts to secure a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli troops had pushed beyond a river located about 30 kilometres north of the Israel-Lebanon border.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it had launched attacks on northern Israel and targeted Israeli forces advancing near the historic Beaufort fortress.

A ceasefire that was expected to take effect on April 17 has largely collapsed, with both sides repeatedly accusing each other of violating the truce.

Lebanon became directly involved in the conflict in March after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel following the killing of Iran's supreme leader during US-Israeli attacks.

The exchange escalated into Israeli airstrikes and a ground offensive.

Despite the ongoing violence, direct talks between Israel and Lebanon have continued, with a fourth round of negotiations expected in Washington next week after military representatives from both sides met on Friday, May 29.

Trump sparks outrage after resharing ‘Strait of Trump’ map for Strait of Hormuz

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the United States President Donald Trump had triggered fresh controversy after resharing a Truth Social post proposing that the Strait of Hormuz be renamed the “Strait of Trump,” a move widely seen as provocative amid mounting geopolitical tensions.

The post featured a map of the strategically critical waterway relabeled with the suggested name, drawing swift global attention because of the Strait’s central role in global energy security.