Trump: Iran ‘Wants to Make a Deal’ as U.S. Negotiates From ‘Pure Strength’

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Trump: Iran ‘Wants to Make a Deal’ as U.S. Negotiates From ‘Pure Strength’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump said Iran is eager to reach a new agreement with the United States following months of conflict, insisting negotiations are taking place from a “position of pure strength.” Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers urged caution, and Iran announced fresh talks with Oman over the future administration of the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks with members of the media before departing for Bahrain International Airport after his visit to the Middle East, in Manama, Bahrain Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Eric Lee/Pool Photo via AP)

Trump Iran Negotiations Quick Looks

Trump said Iran “wants to make a deal” with the United States.
The president claimed negotiations are happening from a “position of pure strength.”
Trump insisted Iran has agreed not to pursue a nuclear weapon.
Rep. Michael McCaul warned against offering concessions before Iran meets U.S. demands.
Iran and Oman will begin discussions on the future administration of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Trump administration continues pushing for secure, toll-free shipping through the strategic waterway.
Food exports to Iran remain part of the proposed economic arrangement.

FILE – Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, speaks during a Republican news conference ahead of the State of the Union, March 1, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. A senior Republican lawmaker on Sunday criticized the Biden administration for not sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, as tensions simmer about whether China could send weapons to help Russia in the year-long war. McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, told ABC’s “This Week” that planes and long-range artillery could help end the war on a faster timeline. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Deep Look

Trump Says U.S. Holds the Upper Hand

President Donald Trump said Thursday evening that the United States is negotiating with Iran from what he described as a “position of pure strength” following months of military conflict.

Speaking during a dinner with American farmers in the White House Rose Garden, Trump argued that recent U.S. military operations had significantly weakened Tehran’s bargaining position.

“We knocked the hell out of them, and now we’re negotiating from a position of pure strength,” Trump said. “Pure strength. They know that.”

The president added that Iran is now eager to finalize an agreement with Washington.

“They want to make a deal with us very badly,” Trump said.

Trump Repeats Nuclear Red Line

Trump reiterated that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains the administration’s top priority.

“They will not have a nuclear weapon,” the president said. “And they’ve agreed to that.”

Although negotiations continue, no finalized agreement has yet been publicly released.

The administration has repeatedly stated that any permanent accord must include strict limitations on Iran’s nuclear activities and international inspections.

Food Exports Remain Part of Proposed Agreement

The president also renewed his proposal to use Iranian-controlled funds for purchases of American agricultural products.

Trump said the administration intends to channel Iranian money toward buying U.S. crops as Iran continues to struggle with food shortages.

He specifically highlighted purchases of wheat, soybeans and corn from American farmers.

Trump also maintained that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping despite recent security incidents in the region.

McCaul Urges Caution Before Any Deal

While supporting diplomatic efforts, Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, warned against making concessions before Iran fulfills key U.S. conditions.

“We don’t know what the final deal is,” McCaul told reporters Thursday.

He said Iran must first demonstrate that it will keep the Strait of Hormuz open to global shipping and permanently abandon any effort to develop a nuclear weapon.

“You don’t reward them first and then hope they meet our conditions. That’s not a good negotiation,” McCaul said.

Although he praised Vice President JD Vance’s role in leading negotiations, McCaul questioned whether a comprehensive agreement can realistically be reached within the administration’s 60-day timetable.

“I think the president’s put him in a very challenging position,” McCaul said. “And I think his race for the presidency will hinge on how he performs on Iran.”

Iran and Oman Launch New Strait of Hormuz Talks

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced that Iran and neighboring Oman will begin formal discussions over the future administration of the Strait of Hormuz.

Following a phone conversation with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, Araghchi said both governments intend to establish a framework governing maritime services and navigation through the strategic waterway.

“We re-emphasized that Iran and Oman will conduct dialogue ‘to define future administration and maritime services in Strait of Hormuz.’ We’re determined and will do so in discussion with our neighbors,” Araghchi wrote on X.

Earlier this week, Oman said both countries reaffirmed their commitment to international law and to maintaining safe, toll-free navigation through one of the world’s most important energy shipping corridors.

The discussions come as the Strait of Hormuz remains central to ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations and broader efforts to stabilize global energy markets.