US President Donald Trump has said Iran’s leaders are “strong” and “proud” but have “no choice” except to reach a deal with Washington, as negotiations continue to end the war between the two countries.
Speaking to NBC News’ “Meet the Press” in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Trump said the conflict is still in its early months compared with past wars, while claiming his administration is moving quickly toward success.
Trump said Iranian leaders have not yet agreed to a deal because they are dignified and resistant to concessions they never expected to make.
“They’re strong, they’re proud, there are things they never thought they’d be doing that they’re going to have to do,” Trump said. “They’ve got no choice, and it takes a little while.”
The US president said negotiations with Iran would not be completed instantly, adding that such conflicts often take years to resolve.
“These people have been fighting for 47 years,” Trump said, accusing Iranian leaders of killing Americans and causing severe injuries to US personnel.
Trump compares Iran war with Vietnam
Trump pushed back against critics who have demanded a quick victory in the conflict, saying the war with Iran is only in its third month.
“I’m moving very fast. I’m into three months. You know, Vietnam lasted 19 years,” Trump said.
He added that people keep asking when he will “win,” but said he is not bothered by the criticism.
“If I were a Democrat, nobody would be talking that way, but it doesn’t matter to me. I’ve gotten so used to it,” Trump said.
The remarks came as the US and Iran continue negotiations to end the war, which entered its fourth month last week.
US claims major damage to Iran’s military
Trump claimed the United States has “totally destroyed” Iran’s military capacity during the conflict, though he acknowledged Tehran still has missiles and drones.
“Most of the drone factories have been knocked out, most of the launching pads have been knocked out, and most of the missile manufacturing areas have been knocked out,” he said.
However, Trump said Iran still retains some military capacity.
“They have some missiles, they have some drones,” he said. “I would say percentagewise, maybe 21%-22% of their missiles. It’s a lot of missiles, but it’s not what it was when we first attacked.”
Trump claims progress in Iran talks
In separate remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump claimed his administration was achieving “big success” in talks with Iran. He said the situation with Iran was moving in a positive direction and that Washington was making “great progress” on the Iranian issue.
Trump also repeated that Iran would not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
“Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” Trump said, adding that Tehran was “not in a position” to obtain nuclear weapons or nuclear capabilities.
Oil tankers continue moving through Hormuz
Trump also pointed to the continued movement of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as evidence that the situation had not spiraled into a deeper economic crisis.
He said predictions that oil prices could rise to $300 per barrel had proven wrong because tankers were still passing through the strategic waterway.
According to Trump, the current oil price is close to $96 per barrel.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global energy supplies, and tensions around the waterway have been a central concern throughout the conflict.
The United States and Iran agreed to a ceasefire in April, which has since been extended several times. However, tensions flared again in recent days when the two countries exchanged strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran also demonstrated that it still retains missile and drone capabilities by launching a series of attacks across the Persian Gulf earlier this week.
One of those attacks struck Kuwait International Airport, underscoring the continuing risks despite ongoing diplomacy.
Conflict remains unresolved despite Trump’s optimism
Trump’s remarks reflect both confidence and caution as Washington seeks to pressure Tehran into an agreement while avoiding a wider regional escalation.
Although he claims Iran’s military capacity has been severely weakened and negotiations are progressing, the conflict remains active, and Iran still retains missiles, drones and the ability to launch attacks across the Gulf.
For now, the US president says a deal will take time — but insists Iran’s leaders ultimately have no alternative.
