Trump at White House: ‘Iran is calling’ for a deal, but US wants to ‘fight more’
Washington: President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that Tehran has begun reaching out to the United States to negotiate a settlement, though he dismissed the overtures as “a little bit late” and asserted that American forces now possess a greater desire for combat than their adversaries.
The president’s remarks were delivered during a White House event honouring the Inter Miami soccer club and its captain, Lionel Messi, following their 2025 Major League Soccer Cup victory.
“A Little Bit Late”
“They [Iran] are calling; they are saying, ‘How do we make a deal?'” Trump said. “I said, ‘You are being a little bit late.’ Now we want to fight more than they do.”
The president claimed that “Operation Epic Fury,” a joint campaign with what he described as “wonderful” Israeli partners, is “far ahead of schedule” in its mission to dismantle Iran’s military infrastructure. He asserted that Iranian missile and drone capabilities are being neutralised “every single hour” at levels “people have never seen before.”
Claim of Total Capability Loss
Trump provided a lopsided assessment of the damage inflicted upon the Islamic Republic’s forces over the last three days, claiming their navy has lost 24 vessels and their air defence systems have been eradicated.
“They don’t know what is happening… Their Navy is gone… Their anti-aircraft weapons are gone, so they have no Air Force… All of their aeroplanes are gone… their communications are gone, missiles are gone, launchers are gone, about 60 per cent and 64 per cent, respectively,” the president said.
An Ultimatum to the IRGC
Addressing the Iranian military directly, Trump issued an ultimatum to the Revolutionary Guard and police forces to abandon their posts or face certain destruction. He offered a “guaranteed death” to those who resist, while promising a path to safety for those who defect.
“Accept immunity; we will give you immunity, or you will face absolutely guaranteed death,” he warned. “And now is the time to stand up for the Iranian people and help take back your country.”
A Vision for a “New Iran”
Trump also extended an invitation to Iranian diplomats stationed globally to defect and seek asylum to assist in “shaping a new and better Iran.” He vowed that the United States would ensure any future Iranian leadership would no longer pose a threat to America or its regional neighbours.
The escalation entered its seventh day following the Feb. 28 strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials. Tehran has responded with significant drone and missile barrages against U.S. military installations in several Arab nations and Israeli assets throughout the region. Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its operations, striking targets in both Tehran and Lebanon to neutralise Hezbollah positions.
