US President Donald Trump on Thursday denied being “desperate” to strike a deal with Iran, as he combined threats with diplomacy in efforts to end America’s involvement in the Middle East.
Speaking at his first cabinet meeting since the launch of the joint US-Israeli operation, Trump claimed Iran was “being beat to hell” and was “begging” for negotiations, despite Tehran’s denials.
He dismissed reports suggesting he was seeking a quick exit, even as rising oil prices and mounting political pressure increase calls to avoid a prolonged Middle East conflict.
“I read a story today that I’m desperate to make a deal,” Trump told reporters. “I’m the opposite of desperate. I don’t care.”
Trump has been saying for days that Iran wants to make a deal, amid growing signs he is seeking a quick end to the conflict. Iran, however, says there are no direct negotiations.
During the 90-minute televised meeting at the White House, Trump veered between repeated threats to “obliterate” Iran and claims it was on the verge of capitulating.
“They want to make a deal. The reason they want to make a deal is they have been just beat to shit,” Trump said.
Citing the original timeframe of four to six weeks that he gave shortly after the US-Israeli offensive began on February 28, Trump said “we’re extremely, really, a lot ahead of schedule.”
The US leader said Iran had allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz as a “present” to show it was serious about negotiations to end the war.
But he then said that taking control of Iran’s oil was an “option,” as the United States effectively did with Venezuela after toppling Nicolas Maduro, who appeared in a US court on Thursday.
Trump’s comments will once again fuel the speculation that has swirled since the start of the war about the 79-year-old’s goals and timeline for the war.
The US-Iran talks have been shrouded in uncertainty since Trump first announced them on Monday and postponed a threat to attack Iran’s power plants.
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Trump’s deadline for Iran to unblock the Strait of Hormuz or see its energy network hit is due to expire on Friday, but with just a day to go he said he wasn’t sure if he’d extend it.
“In Trump time, a day, you know what it is? That’s an eternity,” he said.
But Trump’s global envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed for the first time that Washington had sent a 15-point “action list” via mediator Pakistan and said there were “strong signs” Iran might make a deal.
Trump meanwhile spent much of his time lambasting NATO and other allies for rejecting his appeals to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes.
He blasted the British aircraft carriers London eventually offered as “toys” compared to their US equivalents.
“I’ve done a great favor for the world. The world has not been reciprocal,” Trump said. “I believe that’s going to cost them dearly.”
Trump’s top officials also chimed in.
Top US diplomat Marco Rubio appeared to quote rappers Public Enemy as he said that “every day, the Department of War lets the drummer get wicked over every portion of Iran.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hailed Trump for “doing the work of the free world.”
“We pray for a deal, and we welcome a deal,” Hegseth said. “But in the meantime…the Department of War will continue negotiating with bombs.”
AFP
