Trump asks why Iranians won’t ‘rise up and fight’ as war reaches six-month mark
WASHINGTON, DC: On Tuesday, September 1, President Trump vented his frustration with the people of Iran, wondering why they haven't stood up to their government even though the US conflict with Iran has dragged on for over six months, since August 28. When the war started, Trump claimed it would wrap up in just a few weeks.
He made these remarks on Truth Social after ABC News reported that he was trying to draw Iran back into negotiations.
Escalating tensions in the region
Trump didn’t agree with that description that ABC News gave.
I’m not trying to force Iran to the bargaining table, as ABC Fake News reported. I couldn’t care less if they sign a worthless, to them, agreement. I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing. They are… pic.twitter.com/eYp1s424vO
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) September 2, 2026
He wrote that he wasn’t trying to pressure Iran into talks and honestly didn’t care if Iran signed what he called a “worthless” deal.
He claimed the United States holds the upper hand right now, pointing to what he called almost complete control over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s economy falling apart.
"They are just playing out the inevitable," Trump wrote. "When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight? I’m not trying to force Iran to the bargaining table, as ABC Fake News reported. I couldn’t care less if they sign a worthless, to them, agreement.”
Trump added, “I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing.”
The fighting has ramped up lately. Iran just tightened restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane that Trump recently called “new US territory,” stirring up even more controversy.
On Monday, Iran hit two tankers trying to get out of the strait. The shooting hasn’t stopped: the US keeps launching airstrikes inside Iran, and Iranian forces keep going after American targets in the region.
Origins of the current phase of conflict
Over the last half year, Trump has repeatedly claimed Iran wants to make a deal “badly,” but the Iranian government is currently refusing to negotiate.
On Feb 12, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly gave a presentation to Trump and top US officials in the Situation Room, where he claimed that Israeli intel showed that Iran was ripe for regime change.
After Netanyahu left the room, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly called the presentation ‘b******t’.
Reports say that after Netanyahu left, Secretary of State Marco Rubio brushed off the presentation in private. Since then, Trump has stuck to his message: Iran wants a deal, even though Tehran keeps turning down formal talks.
Trump’s recent comments show that he’s still painting Iran as weak, economically and militarily, and blaming any solution on unrest inside Iran itself, not on diplomatic efforts. The White House hasn’t added anything to the social media statement, and Iranian officials haven’t replied publicly.
