President Donald Trump said Iran had not yet accepted a Trump Iran deal to end the war because its leaders are “strong” and “proud,” NBC News reported Friday.
Trump made the remarks during a “Meet the Press” interview with Kristen Welker in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He said Tehran would eventually have “no choice” except to reach an agreement.
The comments came as US and Iranian officials continued talks to end the war, which entered its fourth month last week.
NBC said the United States and Iran agreed to a ceasefire in April. However, tensions rose again after both sides traded strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told House lawmakers Wednesday that “Operation Epic Fury” had concluded. He said the latest US strikes were defensive and followed Iranian attacks on ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said critics were pressing him to reach a deal too quickly. He argued that conflicts involving Iran had taken decades to develop.
The president also claimed the United States had damaged Iran’s military capacity. He said Iran still had missiles and drones but estimated its missile stockpile at about 21% to 22% of its prewar level.
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NBC said Iran showed remaining missile and drone capability this week by launching attacks across the Persian Gulf, including one that hit Kuwait International Airport.
Trump told the New York Post’s “Pod Force One” podcast on Wednesday that a US blockade of Iran may not remain in place by Labour Day.
