President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran has resisted reaching an agreement with the U.S. to end their ongoing conflict because Iranian leaders are unwilling to accept the terms being demanded of them, but he expressed confidence they will ultimately capitulate.
"They're strong, they're proud, there are things they never thought they'd be doing that they're going to have to do. They've got no choice, and it takes a little while," Trump told NBC News moderator Kristen Welker during an interview in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
The war, now in its fourth month, has been punctuated by periodic ceasefires since April. Negotiations between the two nations have continued despite fresh military clashes this week near the Strait of Hormuz, where U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged strikes.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Wednesday that the military operation dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" has concluded. He characterized the recent strikes as defensive responses to Iranian attacks on ships in the waterway.
"In order to protect our own forces, we don't just strike the drones, we strike the people who launch those drones. These are completely defensive in nature, but they are happening in response to an Iranian action," Rubio told House lawmakers. "If they don't shoot at those ships, we don't shoot, but we have to respond."
The conflict has created significant economic fallout. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for oil tankers, months ago. The blockade has driven up global oil prices and U.S. gas prices, creating pressure on the Trump administration to reach a resolution.
During the Friday interview, Trump pushed back against criticism that he should move faster toward a settlement. He drew comparisons to the Vietnam War, which lasted 19 years, emphasizing that he is moving rapidly by conventional standards.
"I'm into three months. You know, Vietnam lasted 19 years. I'm into my third month, and all they do is say, 'Whoa, when are you going to win?'" Trump said. He added that he would face different media treatment if he were a Democrat.
Trump claimed the U.S. military campaign has been highly effective against Iran's capabilities. He said most drone factories, launching pads, and missile manufacturing sites have been destroyed, though Iran retains some residual capacity.
"I would say percentagewise, maybe 21%-22% of their missiles. It's a lot of missiles, but it's not what it was when we first attacked," the president said.
Iran demonstrated it still possesses functional missile and drone capabilities by launching attacks across the Persian Gulf earlier this week, including a strike on Kuwait International Airport.
Trump has maintained that the conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, was necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He previously stated he believes the American blockade of Iran may be lifted by Labor Day.
The president also acknowledged uncertainty about the path forward in negotiations. When asked whether a deal will materialize, he left room for a different outcome. "Do we sign a deal or we do it the other way? And the other way is not nice," he said in an earlier interview with the New York Post's "Pod Force One" podcast.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Trump's confidence that Iran has no choice but to capitulate rings hollow when the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and oil prices keep climbing, suggesting Tehran may have more leverage than he wants to admit."
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