President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters late early Tuesday aboard Air Force One, rejected calls for a cease-fire in the Middle East, declared he’s not “too much in a mood to negotiate” with Iran, and said that U.S. troops in the region know how to “cut down so hard” on adversaries if provoked.
“We’re not looking for a cease fire,” Trump said bluntly, pushing back on suggestions that the United States was seeking to halt hostilities. “We’re looking for better than a cease fire… a real end, not a cease fire — an end.”
When asked what that end might look like, Trump replied: “Something that would be permanent, or giving up entirely… complete give up, that’s possible.”
The former president reiterated a central plank of his foreign policy doctrine, offering no ambiguity about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. It’s very simple… They just can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, later adding, “I hope their program is going to be wiped out long before then.”
When pressed whether U.S. involvement could guarantee the destruction of Iran’s nuclear program, Trump responded: “There’s no guarantee.”
Despite heightened regional tensions and the risk of escalation, Trump said he was not concerned about the safety of American personnel in the region.
“We have great people that know how to protect themselves… there are people who cut down so hard that their gloves are off so beautifully,” he said. “They know not to touch our troops.”
He also hinted at having military contingency plans already drawn up: “The Joint Chiefs and the Secretary of Defense [have] drawn up plans.”
Trump revealed that he might send Vice President Wickoff to engage the Iranians but emphasized uncertainty: “I may, I may… that happens when I get back.”
He expressed frustration with Iran’s leadership: “I told them do the deal. Their cities have been blown to pieces and lost a lot of people… they should have done the deal.”
Asked if the Israelis would slow operations, Trump demurred: “Nobody’s slowed up so far.”
The White House declared a lid until 10:30am, after which it is expected the President will hold a meeting with his National Security Council in the situation room in the White House.
