U.S.-Iran Tensions

Trump: Not Forcing Iran to Negotiate

A day after extensive strikes in southern Iran, the U.S. president declared he doesn't care if Tehran signs a deal, contradicting earlier statements from his Treasury Secretary

Gila Isaacson

SEP 2, 2026 12:39

2 min read

U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing escalation with Iran on Wednesday night, stating that he is not attempting to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table. His declaration contradicts recent remarks by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said last week that returning Iran to negotiations was the goal of economic pressure on the Islamic Republic.

"Contrary to what is being reported in ABC Fake News, I am NOT trying to force Iran back to the negotiating table," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I don't care if they sign a deal that would be meaningless to them."

Trump went on to say that he prefers the current situation, claiming the U.S. has "almost complete control of the Strait of Hormuz" while Iran's economy is "collapsing completely." He added that Iranian leaders are "only delaying the inevitable," and concluded by asking: "When will the Iranian people rise up and fight?"

On Tuesday evening, Trump threatened to continue attacks if Iran responds to American strikes on targets near the Strait of Hormuz. "If the failed nation of Iran responds to this very justified attack, it will be attacked again, and this time with much harder and higher force," he warned. "But even that won't be the biggest attack of all. The greatest attack is still waiting at the door, and when it's finished, very little will remain of the Islamic Republic of Iran!"