Trump touts US victory amid high-stakes Iran talks: 'We win regardless of what happens'

President Donald Trump said US forces are securing the Strait of Hormuz, claiming they defeated Iran’s navy and air force, though Tehran denied it
President Donald Trump said the US has already secured victory over Iran, as talks led by Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad continue (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump said the US has already secured victory over Iran, as talks led by Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad continue (Win McNamee/Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 11, struck a confident tone as high-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran continued, asserting that Washington has already secured victory regardless of the outcome.

Speaking outside the White House before departing for Florida, Trump said ongoing talks led by Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad would not alter what he described as a decisive US position following recent military actions.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 11: President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he prepares to depart from the White House on April 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. The President was on his way to Florida and was scheduled to attend a UFC event. (Photo by Matt McClain/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he prepares to depart from the White House on April 11, 2026 in Washington, DC (Matt McClain/Getty Images)

Trump claims US victory amid Iran talks

Trump said the United States was “in very deep negotiations” with Iran while maintaining that the result of the talks would not impact the broader outcome.

“We win regardless of what happens,” Trump told reporters outside the White House. “Maybe they make a deal, maybe they doon’t.”

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 11: President Donald Trump departs from the White House on April 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. The President was on his way to Florida and was scheduled to attend a UFC event. (Photo by Matt McClain/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump departs from the White House on April 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. The President was on his way to Florida and was scheduled to attend a UFC event (Matt McClain/Getty Images)

“Regardless of what happens, we win,” Trump said as he departed the White House for Florida, later adding: “Whether we make a deal or not, makes no difference to me.”

He further emphasized the point, saying, “Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me. The reason is because we've won.”

“We're in very deep negotiations with Iran. We win regardless. We've defeated them militarily,” Trump said.

Trump touts military gains, Hormuz operations

Trump also outlined ongoing military operations, including efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route.

“We have minesweepers out there. We’re sweeping the strait,” he added.



He claimed US forces had significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities, stating they had “defeated their navy” and “defeated their air force.”

The US has said its Navy warships transited the strait to begin clearing Iranian mines, though Tehran has denied the claim and maintains control over the waterway.

US-Iran talks extend in Islamabad

Negotiations between US and Iranian officials, led by Vance, extended into a second day in Islamabad with no confirmed breakthrough or timeline.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, center, walks up a flight of stairs to meet with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Islamabad, for talks about Iran. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, pool)
Vice President JD Vance, center, walks up a flight of stairs to meet with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Islamabad, for talks about Iran (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, pool)

Vance is in Pakistan negotiating with Iranian officials, which the president acknowledged has been going on “for many hours.”

“We’ve totally defeated that country and so let’s see what happens,” Trump said. “Maybe they make a deal, maybe they don’t, it doesn’t matter. From the standpoint of America, we win.”

Trump warns China, slams NATO support

Trump also criticized US allies and issued a warning to China over potential involvement.



“We were not helped by NATO,” he said, adding that China would face “big problems” if it moved to support Iran.

The remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tensions following the February 28 US and Israeli strikes, with Iran signaling retaliation through its strategic positioning in the Strait of Hormuz.

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