Trump doubts Iran will honor any deal: 'They want to make a deal so badly'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday, July 8, that Iran recently contacted him seeking a deal following a series of US military strikes. However, he said he remains unsure whether Tehran is "worthy" of negotiations or would honor any future agreement.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump suggested Iran was eager to reach an agreement even as tensions between the two countries continued to rise.

Trump says Iran reached out after US military strikes

Trump told reporters that Iranian officials had recently made contact following the latest US military action.

"They called a little while ago, they want to make a deal so badly," Trump said.

However, he quickly tempered expectations, adding: "I just don't know if they're worthy of making a deal."

The remarks came hours after Trump declared the ceasefire between the United States and Iran effectively "over" following attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the subsequent American response.

Trump warns Iran of stronger US retaliation

The president also made clear that Washington would continue responding aggressively to Iranian actions.

"Every time they hit us, we hit them 20," Trump said.

Later, after US Central Command announced additional strikes against Iran, Trump warned that the military response could intensify further.

"This is in retribution for yesterday's bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!" he said.

Trump's comments reflected a sharp escalation in rhetoric as tensions continued to rise across the region.

While speaking about the possibility of a deal, he simultaneously stressed that military retaliation remained very much on the table.

Trump social media posts draw attention amid escalating conflict

As tensions mounted, Trump also shared videos that appeared to show damage from military strikes, though he did not specify where or when the footage was recorded.

Alongside his warning, the president shared an altered image that appeared to show a large plume of smoke rising above buildings with a brightly lit city visible in the background.

The image was reportedly based on a photograph originally published by Getty Images in Tehran on June 15, 2025.

The user who initially shared the image later removed the post and acknowledged the error, writing, "I just double checked and this image is not from tonight. My mistake. I own it."

The developments came as uncertainty continued to surround both the military and diplomatic paths forward.