Trump says ‘strong and proud’ Iran will eventually sign deal after being ‘virtually decapitated’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Friday, June 5, that Iran has not yet agreed to a deal with the United States to end the ongoing conflict because its leaders are “strong” and “proud,” but maintained that Tehran will eventually have to reach an agreement. 

Speaking in an interview with NBC News, Trump discussed the status of negotiations, the state of Iran’s military capabilities and the prospects for ending the four-month-old conflict. His remarks come as diplomatic talks continue despite recent military exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump says Iran has 'got to no choice'

Trump said ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran have not yet produced a final agreement because Iran is being asked to accept conditions it had previously resisted.

“They’re strong, they’re proud, there are things they never thought they’d be doing that they’re going to have to do. They’ve got no choice, and it takes a little while,” Trump said. He argued that previous US administrations had not pressured Iran to the same extent and suggested the current negotiations represent a major shift in the relationship between the two countries.

“They’ve had great independence. They’ve dealt with very weak and ineffective leadership on behalf of the United States, and other countries, frankly, … that allowed them to get away with murder,” Trump said. “I think they can’t believe they’re in the situation where they’ve been virtually decapitated.”

The United States and Iran agreed to a ceasefire in April, but efforts to convert the truce into a broader settlement have faced challenges. The two sides have continued indirect diplomacy aimed at extending the ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing disputes surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.

Trump also rejected criticism that negotiations have moved too slowly. “These people have been fighting for 47 years. They’ve been killing Americans,” he said. “It takes years to do these things.”

Meanwhile, Iranian officials have offered a different assessment of the talks. Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, told CNN that negotiations are “at a deadlock” and argued that “The ball is in Trump’s court.”

Trump says Iran retains some missile capability despite major military losses

During the interview, Trump said Iran’s military infrastructure has been significantly weakened through US and allied military operations, though he acknowledged Tehran still possesses 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,” Trump said.

The president estimated that Iran now retains only a fraction of the missile stockpile it possessed when the conflict began. “I would say percentage wise, maybe 21%-22% of their missiles. It’s a lot of missiles, but it’s not what it was when we first attacked,” he said.

Trump nevertheless expressed confidence that the conflict would eventually come to an end, either through diplomacy or other means. “One way or the other, it’s finished,” he said. “It’s either finished with a piece of paper, or finished a more difficult way.”