President Trump is insisting that Iran agree to a cease-fire before any broader peace talks can move forward, according to a US official. The message from Washington is that diplomacy remains possible, but only if Tehran first takes steps to halt hostilities.
The administration's position places the immediate decision with Iran. In the account described by the official, the White House is open to giving negotiations a chance, yet it does not want talks to begin while attacks are still a risk.
The warning also came with a threat of consequences. A US official said there would be a "price to pay" for any attacks, underscoring that the cease-fire demand is tied not only to diplomacy but also to deterrence.
Taken together, the signals from Washington show a two-track approach: leave the door open to peace talks while making clear that Iran must act first. For now, the next step appears to depend on whether Tehran accepts a cease-fire and avoids further escalation.
