RismadarVoice Reporters, June 6, 2026
U.S. President, Donald Trump has said Iran has yet to reach an agreement with Washington to end the ongoing conflict because its leaders are “strong” and “proud,” even as he insists a deal is ultimately unavoidable.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press, Trump argued that Iran’s reluctance to settle stems from national pride rather than an unwillingness to negotiate, adding that circumstances would eventually force a breakthrough.
“They’re strong, they’re proud, there are things they never thought they’d be doing that they’re going to have to do,” Trump said during the sit-down with moderator Kristen Welker in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. “They’ve got no choice, and it takes a little while.”
The remarks come as diplomatic efforts continue between U.S. and Iranian officials aimed at ending a war that has now stretched into its fourth month. Although both sides agreed to a ceasefire in April, the truce has been repeatedly tested by renewed clashes, including recent exchanges of strikes around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Tensions escalated further earlier this week after military activity in the Gulf region, with both sides trading accusations over attacks targeting shipping routes and allied positions. U.S. officials have described recent operations as defensive responses to Iranian actions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that the military campaign referred to by the administration as “Operation Epic Fury” had officially concluded, stressing that the strikes were carried out in response to threats against U.S. and allied forces.
Rubio maintained that the actions were “defensive in nature,” saying they were aimed at preventing further attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil corridor that Iran reportedly shut down months earlier, contributing to rising global energy prices.
Amid the escalating conflict, Trump criticised calls for a swift diplomatic resolution, arguing that complex wars take time to resolve.
“These people have been fighting for 47 years,” he said, referring to Iranian leaders. “It takes years to do these things.”
He also compared the current conflict timeline to the Vietnam War, insisting his administration is acting quickly by historical standards.
Despite claiming significant military setbacks for Iran, Trump acknowledged that Tehran still retains some offensive capability. He estimated that Iranian missile stockpiles have been reduced to roughly 21–22% of their pre-war levels, though he conceded the country continues to possess drones and missile systems.
“Most of the drone factories have been knocked out… but they still have capacity,” Trump said.
Iran, however, demonstrated continued capability earlier in the week by launching strikes across the Persian Gulf region, including an attack on Kuwait International Airport, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region.
The president has repeatedly defended the U.S. position in the conflict, arguing that pressure on Iran is necessary to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons. He has also suggested that future decisions on whether to pursue a formal agreement or escalate pressure further remain under consideration.
