Trump says further military action against Iran ‘doesn’t seem necessary,’ reveals Tehran is talking

Speaking during an unscheduled White House press briefing alongside UFC president Dana White, Trump said the US was maintaining military pressure on Tehran partly at the request of neighboring countries, which he said preferred preserving the current situation rather than escalating the war.

“At this point, taking the military action doesn’t seem to be a very necessary thing. But we’re locked and loaded, ready to go for any reason that changes,” Trump said.

He added, “Israel and the entire Middle East are protected from Iranian danger and threats, and we’re seeing momentum toward the end of this conflict. I think it’s going to be ending fairly soon.”

The president argued that the military campaign had already achieved its principal objectives and that Washington was now focused on securing a lasting outcome.

“Iran militarily is effectively over. We’re just keeping it the status quo, and we’re doing that really at the behest of countries that are their neighbors,” he said.

Asked why he would not simply declare the conflict over after repeatedly claiming to have eliminated Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities, Trump pointed to the security of American allies in the region.

“Because we have some great allies there, and we have to make sure they’re not hurt, and they would be hurt,” he said.

Trump continued, “They are right now a lot safer than they were six months ago because Iran’s been very much decapitated.”

“We want to make sure it’s a long-term solution, not just the short term. They’ll never have a nuclear weapon, but we have to make sure that’s long-term," he said.

Trump maintained that the confrontation was approaching its conclusion, but said Washington would not abandon its regional partners before their security could be guaranteed.

“So it’s ending quickly, but we want to take care of people that have been very good to us over the years,” he said.

“They’re talking to us, and they’re talking very politely, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said. “But there’s a good chance that that could get ended.”

Trump described Iran as a country facing severe economic and military difficulties, claiming that its inflation rate had reached 301% and that the government was struggling to pay its military personnel.

“It’s a failing country. It’s got 301 percent inflation. It’s got problems like you don’t want to even think about,” he said.

“They’re not paying their military. They’re not paying their guard. Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone.”

Trump claimed that 158 Iranian ships were underwater and that 268 aircraft were scattered across Iranian runways.

“So their military is essentially gone,” he said.

“They can still make some limited numbers of missiles and drones, but it’s basically about 85 percent gone.”

Trump did not provide independent evidence to substantiate those figures.

Challenged by a reporter over his repeated predictions that the war would end soon, Trump insisted that his central commitment had always been to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“No, I made the claim that they won’t have a nuclear weapon, and they won’t have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

He described the administration’s current strategy as maintaining pressure through the naval blockade and the newly launched Task Force Iron Gate, intended to restrict Iranian supply routes over land.

“We’re keeping it going. We have the greatest military blockade ever. We have the new Iron Gate. Iron Gate is land, so by land and by sea, and we will take care of business,” Trump said.

“Look, Iran. I hope we’re going to be able to make a deal with them.”

The president also emphasized the scale of American military preparations, saying an additional aircraft carrier had arrived in the region.

“We are so loaded. We just have another aircraft carrier. It’s all loaded up to the gills with brand new, beautiful stuff,” he said.

Trump later claimed that three American aircraft carriers were deployed in or arriving in the Middle East.

“They’re all locked and loaded. And hopefully, we don’t have to use them.”

He said the US was also increasing production of military equipment, including Patriot missile defense systems, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense systems.

Trump argued that, despite the war’s political and economic consequences, preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons justified the military campaign.

“Now, short term, probably bad for me because people want to have a little bit lower energy cost,” he acknowledged.

“But I’ve done something different. They won’t have a nuclear weapon. That’s a big thing.”

Asked whether he had watched Massie present the impeachment resolution, Trump dismissed the Kentucky Republican.

“No, I don’t watch Massie. Look, Massie is a loser,” Trump said.

“He shouldn’t be taking up the time of Congress or the Senate or anything that he’s doing. The guy’s a stone cold loser.”

The president accused Massie of routinely opposing Republican legislation, even when bills received support from Democrats.

“There’s something wrong with him,” Trump said.

“You could go in with the greatest bill, bills where even Democrats were voting, and he’d be no.”

Trump continued, “What is wrong with this guy? He’s a sick, sick guy. There’s something wrong with him, actually.”

Massie’s impeachment effort accuses Hegseth of violating congressional war powers, including by carrying out military operations against Iran without the authorization required under the 1973 War Powers Resolution.

Trump rejected the criticism, arguing that Hegseth deserved recognition for what he described as successful American military campaigns in Venezuela and Iran.

“Now he’s after Pete Hegseth. He doesn’t like Hegseth, but really, what has Hegseth done? He won the war. He was in charge. He won the war in Venezuela,” Trump said.

“And he certainly, I think, he’s won the war in Iran. But he’s certainly winning the war.”

Trump claimed that Iran would like to reach a diplomatic agreement because of the devastation inflicted on its armed forces.

“Iran would love to make a deal, and they’ve been obliterated. Their navy, their air force,” he said.

He contrasted those campaigns with previous American wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, which he characterized as costly failures.

“So I say this: Pete Hegseth won two wars. Oh, let’s impeach him,” Trump said sarcastically.

The president also questioned why previous defense officials had not faced similar impeachment efforts, singling out former defense secretary Lloyd Austin.

“Massie’s a loser, just like you’re a loser at CNN, just like your ratings are a loser,” Trump told the reporter.

He reiterated his support for Hegseth, arguing that military recruitment had improved dramatically under his leadership.

“The soldiers, the actual soldiers, the great people that do the work, the great patriots, they love Pete Hegseth,” Trump said.

“He’s done a very good job.”

Asked when he first became aware of concerns surrounding the Nvidia executive, Trump said he had been surprised by the reports.

“When I heard about it, first of all, I was amazed because I view him as a very high quality person. I’ve known him a long time,” Trump said.

The president praised Huang for transforming Nvidia into one of the world’s most valuable companies.

“He’s an amazing guy. I just hope there’s no problem. If there is a problem, we’ll let you know about it. But I hope there’s no problem.”

Trump suggested that the controversy had taken a serious personal toll on Huang.

“I believe he’s suffering greatly. I read his statement, and I believe he’s suffering greatly. More so because of his family, his wife who he loves, and his family,” he said.

The president indicated that the FBI was examining a related matter, although he did not clearly identify the scope of the investigation.

“We’ll look into it. I know the FBI is looking into it in terms of something else, and I think that he’ll be in good shape,” Trump said.

Asked whether he had known about the alleged intelligence connections during his May visit to China, Trump denied having been aware of them at the time.

“No, I didn’t hear about it then,” he said.

Trump then revealed that he had spoken directly with Huang that day to ask about the allegations.

“I asked him today because I did speak to him today just to see if he’s feeling all right,” Trump said.

“And I asked him about that, and he said he had absolutely no idea that the person in question was a spy.”

The president described the exchange in further detail.

“I asked him that question. Did you have any idea that she was a spy? He said I had no idea that she was a spy, and I really believe him.”

Trump also said he did not expect to raise the matter himself during his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, although he suggested that Xi might bring it up.

“I just know Jensen very well. I just think he’s a very honorable man,” Trump said.

“He built a great company, an American company, and I think he’s a very honorable guy. And I feel very confident that he’ll be in good shape.”

Pressed to clarify exactly what intelligence information he had received, Trump said he would have to check with intelligence officials.

“I’d certainly check with the intelligence people,” he said, adding that the information “certainly didn’t make much of an impact on me.”

The president’s remarks reflected his personal confidence in Huang, rather than any announced investigative finding. The allegations concerning the suspected Chinese intelligence connection have not been established as proof of wrongdoing by the Nvidia executive.

He singled out the Senate race in Alaska, alleging that another candidate named Dan Sullivan had been entered into the race to confuse voters and draw votes away from the Republican incumbent.

Trump claimed that the candidate had been “fraudulently put in the race” and that votes cast for him should effectively be attributed to the incumbent.

Those allegations were not substantiated during the briefing.

The president also defended his newly appointed White House chief of staff, Stephen Miller, describing him as intelligent, tough, and capable of working with congressional Democrats.

“He’s been with me from the beginning. He’s smart. He’s tough. He’s fair, and he actually will get along, I think, very well with the Democrats,” Trump said.

Asked whether Miller’s appointment was consistent with his recent acknowledgment that his immigration crackdown may have been too harsh, Trump insisted that his administration’s policy remained unchanged.

“There’s no amnesty, no, no anything,” he said.

“We focus on the worst of the worst.”

He nevertheless acknowledged that some undocumented immigrants had productive jobs and paid taxes, saying the administration was discussing the issue with several groups.

Trump explained that he had floated the idea of appointing White as his White House press secretary, praising the UFC executive’s success as a promoter and his experience dealing with the media.

“I want to elevate you. I’m going to bring you into the press room, and Dana White could be our press secretary if you would only take the job,” Trump said.

He jokingly warned reporters about White’s confrontational style.

“The only problem is he’ll talk for a little while, and then he’s going to beat the hell out of you.”

White briefly took the podium and jokingly asked reporters: “Who has the first question?”

But he immediately clarified his position.

“I have zero political aspirations,” White said.

White explained that he had been attending a Zuffa Boxing event in London when Trump called to tell him about the proposed appointment.

“The last 24 hours of my life have been insane,” White said, referring to the media attention surrounding the suggestion.

Asked whether he had personally rejected the president’s offer, White replied: “I don’t tell the president no to anything. I didn’t say no.”

Trump then acknowledged that the proposal had originated as a joke.

“We were having a very bad press day, and I said, I don’t know why I thought of his name. He’s been my friend for a long time,” Trump explained.

“I said, you know, I think I’m going to get Dana White to be my new press secretary.”

“I was sort of kidding,” Trump said, before jokingly reversing himself: “No, I wasn’t kidding.”

At the end of the briefing, Trump again turned to White and made the offer directly.

“Would you like to be press secretary of the US of America? Look at the sign. You’d have this behind you all the time,” Trump asked.

“Would you like that, or do you just want to stay with this ridiculous UFC?”

White declined.

“Thank you for the offer, sir. I do not want to be in politics,” he replied.

“I am devastated to hear this,” Trump joked, bringing the briefing to a close.