WSJ: Trump Considered Walking Away from Iran Talks After Naval Confrontations
Iran has threatened Trump's life repeatedly, and has also threatened US naval assets and American soldiers situated on bases near Iran. Yet Trump continues to dither.
American officials informed The Wall Street Journal that President Donald Trump considered abandoning negotiations with Iran in response to two recent naval confrontations between U.S. and Iranian forces in the Arabian Sea region. The report does not specify why Trump ultimately chose to continue the talks.
Analysts cited in the article suggest these incidents may reflect efforts by Iranian hardliners to demonstrate disinterest in the negotiations, betting that Trump will refrain from launching a significant attack on Iran.
The confrontations referenced include:
An approach by six Iranian gunboats toward the U.S.-flagged tanker Stena Imperative in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday (Tuesday) where the vessels ordered the tanker to stop but were ignored, leading to a U.S. warship escort.
The downing of an Iranian drone by U.S. forces near the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on the same day.
This development occurs amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions, with Trump having deployed a substantial naval presence (an "armada") to the region while pursuing diplomatic efforts to address Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and support for proxy groups. Trump has alternated between threats of military action and calls for talks, including a recent statement that negotiations are underway "all over" and expressing hope for a deal. He has also referenced past U.S. airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites in June 2025 as leverage. No immediate official comments from the White House or Iranian government on this specific report have been noted. The U.S. continues to weigh military and diplomatic options.