Trump Says Iran Not Ready for Deal Amid Major US Strikes
President Donald Trump declared that Iran is “not yet ready” to reach a nuclear agreement while confirming that the United States has inflicted major military strikes that have severely weakened Iran’s navy and air force. The statements came during his address at the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington on July 24, marking the first time Trump has attended the event during either of his terms.
The remarks signal a dual-track approach by the Trump administration—continuing military pressure while leaving the door open to negotiations—even as the five-month-old US-Israeli war against Iran shows no signs of reaching a diplomatic resolution.
Background: The 2026 Iran War
The conflict, now in its fifth month, began on February 28, 2026, when US and Israeli airstrikes killed several senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. According to Wikipedia, the war followed the Twelve-Day War (2025) and was preceded by the largest US military buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Iran retaliated by blocking the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz in late March, triggering the largest global oil supply disruption in history. The coalition arrayed against Iran includes the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, while Iran is supported by Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other members of the Axis of Resistance.
Multiple ceasefire attempts—including the April 8 ceasefire, the Islamabad Memorandum signed on June 17, and the July 8 agreement—have all collapsed, reflecting deep mutual distrust and conflicting strategic objectives. The human toll has been devastating: according to the United Nations, more than 3,400 civilians have been killed and over 33,000 injured, while the war has cost US taxpayers an estimated $113.3 billion as of June 2026.
Trump’s Key Statements
Speaking at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, Trump told reporters that the US has inflicted major military strikes on Iran, weakening its naval and air capabilities. “Iran’s navy and air force have been severely weakened, and it is currently negotiating with the US and seeking to reach an agreement,” Trump said, according to Chinese state media CCTV News.
However, he added that Iran is “not yet ready” to reach an agreement, though the US is willing to listen to its proposals. On the nuclear question, Trump reiterated a firm red line: “They cannot have nuclear weapons.”
The Guardian reported that Trump insisted the war was going “extremely well” and told the room of journalists: “Don’t believe the fake news.” The president also revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the US next week, though he did not provide specific details on the itinerary or agenda.
The dinner itself was historically significant. Originally scheduled for April, it was rescheduled after a gunman fired a shotgun at a security checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton ballroom, in what authorities described as a suspected targeting of the president and his administration. This time, the event was held at the smaller Waldorf Astoria, with an extensive security plan drawn up by the Secret Service.
Iran’s Response
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi firmly rejected US pressure in remarks reported on the same day. According to CCTV News, Araghchi stated that “there is no lack of a mediator between Iran and the US; the crux of the issue lies in US policies and practices.” He emphasized that Iran “will not yield to US pressure, will not accept threats, pressure or coercive measures.”
Araghchi also vowed that Iran would continue to safeguard its interests in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz and would continue taking action until the legitimate goals and demands of the Iranian people are met. This position aligns with his earlier declaration to the Voice of Emirates that “the time for negotiations will come after achieving strategic and military gains on the ground.”
Analysis: A Dual-Track Strategy
Trump’s July 24 statements serve multiple strategic purposes. Domestically, they present the war as a success story, countering criticism of its mounting human and financial costs. The Pentagon has requested a record $1.5 trillion for the next fiscal year, reflecting the scale of the conflict. Internationally, the remarks signal continued openness to diplomacy, maintaining what analysts describe as a classic “dual-track” approach: striking Iran while claiming willingness to negotiate.
However, the repeated collapse of ceasefire initiatives suggests that neither side believes the current balance of forces favors a negotiated settlement. Iran insists it will only negotiate from a position of strength, while the US continues to escalate its military campaign. US Central Command (CENTCOM) recently confirmed that the latest wave of airstrikes targeted at least 11 strategic locations across Iran, continuing a pattern of sustained military pressure.
What to Watch For
Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Washington next week will be a critical moment in the conflict. The visit could produce new strategic coordination between the US and Israel, or it could serve as a platform for a fresh ceasefire initiative. Analysts will be watching for signs of whether the coalition is prepared to offer terms that Iran might accept, or whether the military campaign is set to expand further—Trump has previously threatened to target Iranian power plants and infrastructure.
The Strait of Hormuz crisis continues to disrupt global oil markets, and humanitarian costs are mounting across the region. The United Nations has repeatedly called for de-escalation, and diplomatic channels remain open. Yet, after five months of war and three failed ceasefires, the path to peace remains deeply uncertain. The question now is whether the Trump administration’s combination of military strikes and diplomatic overtures can succeed where previous efforts have failed.