Donald Trump says Iran wants a deal but U.S. doubts its reliability

During the 36th NATO summit in Ankara, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One that Iran had recently called the United States “to say they want a deal very badly.” He added that Washington was unsure whether Tehran could be trusted to honor any agreement, saying “I don’t know if they’re worthy of a deal, I don’t know if they’ll keep it.” Trump claimed the United States had already “won militarily,” noting that U.S. forces had struck about 90 Iranian military targets and that American retaliation was “twenty times” any Iranian attack.

He announced that the recently brokered cease‑fire had ended, labeling Iranian leaders “liars,” “scum” and “sick people.” The president also praised Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, describing the two days in Ankara as “very productive” and saying “Turkey is a great partner.” He highlighted NATO unity, noting that European allies agreed to increase defence spending.

Iran’s president, Mesud Pezeşkiyan, responded by condemning Trump’s remarks as “insult‑filled” and vowed that Iran would not be swayed by U.S. threats. Iran’s embassy in Ankara also rejected statements in the NATO summit communiqué that criticized Iran’s nuclear programme and the Straits of Hormuz, insisting its nuclear activities are peaceful.

Overall, the statements underscore heightened U.S.–Iran tensions, the resumption of military strikes, and diplomatic friction at a critical NATO gathering.