US President Donald Trump on Saturday shared an edited image on his social media platform Truth Social showing Iran covered in the colors of the American flag, alongside the caption, "United States of the Middle East?"

The image showed a map of Iran draped in American stars and stripes. The post came as Trump claimed Iran was seeking negotiations following recent US military actions, asserting that Tehran’s military capabilities had been severely weakened and insisting the country “will never have a nuclear weapon."

US threatens attack if talks fail

According to US officials cited in an Axios report, Trump is “seriously considering” launching fresh military strikes against Iran if last-minute diplomatic efforts fail to produce a breakthrough.

Addressing supporters at a rally in New York’s Rockland County, Trump said the US military had inflicted major damage on Iran and warned that Washington would not allow Tehran to develop nuclear weapons.

“Now, Iran, their Navy's gone, their air force is gone, everything's gone, their leaders are gone,” Trump told supporters. “And if you read the fake news, you'd think they're doing just fine. They're not doing just fine. They want to settle so badly.”

Trump did not provide evidence for the extent of the damage he described, but reiterated that Iran would never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.

An Iranian official told Al Jazeera that Iran reached a draft agreement with Pakistani mediators and is waiting for a US response. The proposal includes ending the war, lifting the blockade, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and withdrawing US forces from the conflict zone.

Nuclear issues are excluded for now and may be discussed after 30 days.

Iran says it cannot offer further concessions.

(With agency inputs)