Trump Says Iran Is ‘Dying’ to Make a Deal as Negotiations Reach Critical Juncture
President claims military pressure has left Tehran with no choice but to negotiate, but insists he is “in no hurry” and warns of consequences if talks fail.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declared on Friday that Iran is “dying” to reach an agreement with the United States, doubling down on his assessment that relentless military and economic pressure has left Tehran with few options other than to negotiate an end to the two-month-old war .
Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed that Iran’s economy is in freefall, its military capabilities have been severely degraded, and its leadership is desperate for relief from the US naval blockade that has choked off its oil exports. “They want to make a deal so badly,” Trump said .
“Iran is dying to make a deal,” Trump said. “I can only tell you that. They want to make a deal. We’ll see how long they hold out” .
‘We Have Decimated Them’
Trump attributed Iran’s willingness to negotiate to the success of the US-Israeli military campaign that began on February 28. He claimed that American and Israeli strikes have systematically dismantled Iran’s military infrastructure.
“Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Their drone factories are about 82 percent down. Their missile factories are almost 90 percent down. We obliterated that nuclear capacity of theirs,” Trump told reporters .
The President also pointed to the economic toll of the US naval blockade, which has prevented Iran from exporting oil through the Strait of Hormuz. “They’re not getting any money from oil. And hopefully, it can be worked out very soon,” he said .
Trump elaborated on the human and economic toll on Iran, stating: “This is a rough group, but we have decimated them, and their economy is a disaster. So we’ll see how long they hold out” .
‘I’m in No Hurry’
Despite his claims that Iran is eager for a deal, Trump struck a patient tone, insisting he will not be rushed into an agreement that fails to meet US demands.
“I’m in no hurry,” Trump said . “We’re in the final stages of Iran. We’ll see what happens. Either have a deal or we’re going to do some things that are a little bit nasty, but hopefully that won’t happen” .
The President has made clear that any agreement must include Iran’s complete abandonment of its nuclear ambitions and the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping without tolls or Iranian control .
On the nuclear issue, Trump has been unequivocal: “No, we get the highly enriched; we will get it. We don’t need it. We don’t want it. We’ll probably destroy it after we get it, but we’re not going to let them have it” .
Vance: ‘Locked and Loaded’
Vice President JD Vance reinforced Trump’s message, stating that the United States is negotiating in good faith but is prepared to take stronger action if necessary.
“We’re locked and loaded. We don’t want to go down that pathway, but the President is willing and able to go down that pathway if we have to,” Vance told reporters .
Vance added that Iran’s leadership appears fractured and uncertain about its own objectives. “I think you see that conflict; the fact that maybe the Iranians aren’t themselves quite clear in what direction they want to go. They are also just a fractured country,” he said .
He also emphasized that any agreement must include long-term guarantees extending beyond Trump’s presidency. “We want to see not just the commitment to not have a nuclear weapon, but the commitment to work with us on a process to ensure that not just now—not just when Donald Trump is POTUS—but years down the road, that the Iranians are not rebuilding that nuclear capability,” Vance said .
The Diplomatic Landscape: Narrowing Gaps but No Breakthrough
Despite Trump’s optimistic rhetoric, a final agreement remains elusive. A senior Iranian source confirmed that while the gap between the two sides has narrowed “significantly,” two major issues remain at a standstill: Iran’s uranium enrichment program and Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz .
Key Sticking Points
| Issue | US Position | Iran’s Position |
|---|---|---|
| Enriched Uranium Stockpile | Must be transferred out of Iran and destroyed | Refuses to send near-weapons-grade uranium abroad |
| Uranium Enrichment | Long-term suspension required | Asserts right to peaceful enrichment under NPT |
| Strait of Hormuz | Immediate reopening without tolls or Iranian control | Maintains control; considers it a “strategic asset” |
| Sanctions Relief | Only after full agreement signed | Demands phased relief as negotiations proceed |
Iran currently possesses approximately 435 kilograms of enriched uranium, nearing the threshold suitable for weapons production. Tehran has so far denied the possibility of giving up this stockpile .
According to experts cited by Xinhua, for Iran to agree to a deal, hostilities would have to end—including strikes against Lebanon—which would require the United States to pressure Israel effectively. “The prerequisite now is an end to three things: hostilities, the U.S. blockade, and the Strait of Hormuz deadlock. Were that to happen, it would create a window for negotiating everything else,” said Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland .
Iran’s 14-Point Proposal
Tehran has submitted a 14-point peace proposal through Pakistani mediators that outlines its negotiating position. The proposal demands:
- An end to US military operations against Iran and its allies
- Lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports
- Withdrawal of US forces from areas surrounding Iran
- Release of frozen Iranian assets (estimated at over $100 billion)
- Lifting of economic sanctions
Significantly, the proposal does not mention Iran abandoning its nuclear program or suspending uranium enrichment activities. Tehran also does not commit to fully opening the Strait of Hormuz before reaching a final agreement with the US. This suggests that Iran is setting “limits on concessions” from the outset, viewing nuclear capabilities and control of the strait as strategic interests that cannot be unconditionally traded .
The Role of Pakistan
Pakistan continues to play a central role as mediator between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran for his second visit in less than a week on Wednesday, meeting with his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni at the Interior Ministry .
Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts, stating that Washington remains in constant communication with Islamabad and that Field Marshal Asim Munir is expected to travel to Tehran for further discussions .
The Israel Factor
The negotiations have created friction between Washington and its closest regional ally. Reports indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed frustration with Trump’s decision to delay military action, and the two leaders reportedly had a “tense phone call” on May 20 .
After the call, Netanyahu’s “hair was on fire,” according to Axios, with the Israeli Prime Minister keen on resuming strikes to further degrade Iran’s military capabilities and weaken the regime by destroying its critical infrastructure .
Netanyahu is “highly sceptical about the negotiations and wants to resume the war,” while Trump continues to say he thinks a deal can be reached .
What Comes Next
With Trump indicating he is willing to wait “several days” for the “right answers” from Tehran, the diplomatic window remains open—but narrowly .
“The only question is, do we go and finish it up, or are they gonna be signing a document. Let’s see what happens,” Trump said at the Coast Guard Academy graduation ceremony .
Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Michael O’Hanlon offered a measured assessment of the timeline. “I don’t know. But it feels to me like the two sides are both still far apart. I am guessing some kind of lasting settlement by summer, not spring,” he told Xinhua .
For now, the fragile Pakistan-brokered ceasefire that took effect on April 8 remains in place, though officials on both sides describe it as increasingly precarious. Whether Trump’s prediction that Iran is “dying” to make a deal proves accurate—or whether Tehran’s “red lines” prove immovable—will become clear in the coming days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What did President Trump say about Iran’s willingness to make a deal?
A: Trump stated that Iran is “dying to make a deal,” claiming that military and economic pressure has left Tehran with few options other than to negotiate an end to the war. He said, “They want to make a deal so badly” and “We’ll see how long they hold out” .
Q2: What conditions has Trump set for any agreement with Iran?
A: Trump has demanded that any deal must include Iran’s complete abandonment of its nuclear ambitions and the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping without tolls or Iranian control .
Q3: Has a final agreement been reached between the US and Iran?
A: No. While a senior Iranian source confirmed that the gap between the two sides has narrowed “significantly,” no final agreement has been reached. Two major issues remain at a standstill: Iran’s uranium enrichment program and Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz .
Q4: How has Vice President JD Vance characterized the US position?
A: Vance stated that the United States is “locked and loaded” and prepared to take stronger action if necessary, while emphasizing that the US is negotiating in good faith. He also noted that any agreement must include long-term guarantees extending beyond Trump’s presidency .
Q5: What role is Pakistan playing in the negotiations?
A: Pakistan continues to serve as the primary mediator between the United States and Iran. Pakistan’s Interior Minister has made multiple visits to Tehran, and Field Marshal Asim Munir is expected to travel to Iran for further discussions .
Q6: How has Israel reacted to the negotiations?
A: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly had a “tense phone call” with Trump and expressed frustration with the delay in military action. Netanyahu is said to be “highly sceptical about the negotiations and wants to resume the war” to further degrade Iran’s capabilities .
Q7: What are the main sticking points in the negotiations?
A: The primary obstacles are Iran’s uranium enrichment program (the US demands that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium be transferred out of the country) and control of the Strait of Hormuz (the US demands immediate reopening without Iranian tolls or control). Iran considers both issues “red lines” .
Q8: What happens if negotiations fail?
A: Trump has warned that the US would “do some things that are a little bit nasty” if talks fail, while also stating that military options remain on the table. Vance has stated that the US is “locked and loaded” if necessary .
This is a developing story. Reflecto News will continue to provide updates on US-Iran negotiations, the status of the ceasefire, and any progress toward a final agreement.