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Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Iran's military has been reduced to firing "peashooters" and that Tehran privately wants to make a deal despite its public
sabre-rattling. "They play games, but let me just tell you, they want to make a deal. And who wouldn't, when your military is totally gone?" he said.
Trump heaped praise on the US blockade of Iranian ports in the region. "It's like a piece of steel. Nobody's going to challenge the blockade. And I think it's working out very well," he said
"Nobody" will challenge US naval blockade, Trump says
President Donald Trump speaks during an event to sign a memorandum in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on May 5.
President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on May 5. Evan Vucci/Reuters
President Donald Trump asserted Tuesday that “nobody” will challenge the US blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, and expressed hope that Tehran’s financial system will fail.
“The blockade has been amazing. It’s like a piece of steel. Nobody is going to challenge the blockade,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
As the United States continues its pressure campaign against Iran, Trump said the Iranians want to make a deal, despite any contradictory public statements.
“They play games, but let me just tell you, they want to make a deal, and who wouldn’t, when your military is totally gone,” Trump said.Trump also signaled he wants Iran’s financial system to fail.
“Well, I guess so, because we’re making it fail,” he said. “I hope it fails. You know why? Because I want to win.
When asked what Iran would need to do to violate the ceasefire, Trump said: "Well, you'll find out, because I'll let you know ... They know what not to do." Trump said Iran "should save the white flag of surrender." "If this were a fight, they'd stop it," said Trump.
“We beat them very badly, now they’re reduced to little boats with machine guns on the front of them”, he said of Iran, adding that the Iranian navy has completely destroyed.
“Every single ship they had is resting underwater at the bottom of the sea”, he added.
On Iran’s nuclear programme, he said: “These are sick people, and we’re not going to let lunatics have a nuclear weapon.”He also said the US engaged in a small military skirmish, without providing details.
Yesterday, the US Centcom claimed it sank six small Iranian boats in the Hormuz waters during the US-launched “Operation Freedom.” An initiative designed to escort cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz, bypassing the Iranian blockade.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US effort to guide vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz is temporary, and “separate and distinct” from ongoing military operations in the region, one day after the US military began operations to guide ships in the waterway. He also said “the ceasefire is not over.”
Ceasefire tested: Iran has attacked US forces more than 10 times since the ceasefire went into effect, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said. Iran’s parliament speaker earlier said the US and its allies have jeopardized secure shipping, after a day of attacks in the strait, adding “we have not even begun yet.”
Economic impact: Demand for oil is falling at the fastest rate seen outside the Covid pandemic, experts say, as businesses and consumers cut consumption due to sharply increased prices and a scarcity of supply in some regions. Meanwhile, US gas prices have increased by 50% since the start of the war.