'No Interest In Meeting': Trump Hardens Stance As US-Iran Tensions Continue To Rise

Washington: The increasing tension between America and Iran is continuously deepening. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has made it clear that at present Washington has no interest in talks with Iran. He said that the US will not start any kind of talks unless Tehran is ready for serious and meaningful talks.

During a conversation with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House, Trump said that Iran is trying to establish contact through back-channel, but in the current situation America is not in favour of talks.

Why did Trump refuse to talk?

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump claimed that Iranian officials are continuously trying to negotiate. According to him, Iran wants talks because of the current military pressure, but America will move forward only when it feels that the talks can yield a concrete and positive result.

Trump indicated that in the current situation, military action and strategic pressure remain America's priority.

CENTCOM forces began striking military targets in Iran at 7 p.m. ET today for the 11th consecutive night. The strikes are designed to continue degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 21, 2026

What did Iran say?

Iranian President Masoud Pejeshkian said that his coordination with the country's supreme leadership is stronger than ever. He said that all important decisions of the government are being taken as per the instructions of the Supreme Leader and the country is moving forward unitedly in this challenging time.

He also said that Iran will firmly stick to its strategy to protect national interests.

America attacked for the 11th consecutive night?

Meanwhile, the US Army carried out air strikes on Iranian military bases for the 11th consecutive night. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the purpose of these attacks is to weaken Iran's military capability and ensure the safety of international merchant ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the most important oil transportation routes in the world. In such a situation, the increasing tension here can also affect the global energy market.

Was the economic burden on America increased due to war?

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress that the US has spent about $37.5 billion so far on the ongoing conflict with Iran. This is much higher than the earlier estimate.

He said that the defence ministry has sought additional budget so that military operations can be continued without any hindrance. According to him, in the current circumstances this additional funding is very important for national security.

Can tensions escalate further?

The possibility of talks between the two countries appears weak at present. On one hand America is continuing military operations, while on the other hand Iran is also maintaining its stand. In such a situation, instead of reducing the tension in West Asia, there is a possibility of it increasing further. If no diplomatic solution is found soon, it could impact regional security as well as the global oil market and international trade.