Trump says Iran situation ‘under control,’ signals pressure on Tehran for deal

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, May 6, that the United States has the situation with Iran “very much under control,” as his administration continues military and diplomatic pressure aimed at ending the conflict.

Speaking at a White House event honoring military mothers, Trump said negotiations with Tehran remain active and suggested Iranian officials are seeking an agreement.

His remarks came as the US maintained its naval blockade near Iranian ports and following new military action in the Gulf of Oman involving an Iranian-bound oil tanker. 

Trump says Iran wants a deal

Trump said the administration remains focused on reaching an agreement with Tehran while maintaining leverage through military pressure.

 “We’re dealing with people that want to make a deal very much,” Trump said. “We’ll see whether or not they can make a deal that’s satisfactory to us. We have it very much under control.”

Trump pointed to the US naval blockade around Iranian ports as a central pressure tactic, describing it as highly effective in restricting maritime movement. He called it “like a wall of steel nobody goes through.”

The president said the current US posture is designed to push Iran toward accepting terms to formally end the war.

“We’ll see whether or not they are agreeing, and if they don’t agree, they’ll end up agreeing shortly thereafter.”

Trump has repeatedly warned that military strikes could resume if diplomacy collapses, though administration officials have said in recent days that a negotiated settlement remains the preferred outcome. 

The blockade around the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the standoff, with both Washington and Tehran using control over regional shipping routes as leverage in ongoing talks.

US escalates maritime enforcement

United States Central Command said US forces disabled the rudder of an Iranian-flagged tanker in international waters after the vessel failed to comply with repeated warnings. 

According to CENTCOM, the M/T Hasna was heading toward an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman when US forces intervened.

“After Hasna’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings, US forces disabled the tanker’s rudder by firing several rounds from the 20mm cannon gun of a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet,” the command said.

The vessel was left unable to continue toward Iran, according to the military.

At the White House, Trump also criticized defense manufacturers for failing to increase weapons production fast enough amid concerns over US military stockpiles.

“They’re not making it fast enough,” Trump said. The president referenced his January executive order barring major defense contractors from stock buybacks or dividend payments until production targets are met. “I said you’re not allowed to buy back stock anymore,” Trump said.

He added that some executives would be required to redirect compensation toward weapons production.

“You got to reduce your salary. I’m going to reduce your salary. You’re going to put it into weapons.”