U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that reaching an agreement with Iran is still possible, though he expressed diminishing confidence in Tehran, accusing it of deception and misinformation amidst ongoing American military operations.
Speaking to reporters, Trump mentioned he is "starting to lose trust" in the Iranians, believing they have not been truthful in their dealings with Washington, describing their behavior as "lacking honor." He noted that his envoy Steve Whitakoff, Jared Kushner, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are involved in negotiations concerning Iran.
Although asserting that the door for an agreement remains open, the U.S. president emphasized that the United States will continue to exert military force, stating Washington "will strike Iran with great force." He added that the American military operations have been ongoing for five months, inflicting significant damage on Iran's military capabilities, including drone capabilities.
Trump also urged U.S. defense companies to accelerate production in light of discussions in Washington about bolstering ammunition stocks and air defense systems.
In the same context, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Pisant announced that the U.S. continues to track Iranian assets worldwide, stressing these funds will return to the Iranian people. He claimed Tehran is facing difficulties in paying its soldiers' salaries.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump described the confrontation with Iran as "progressing well," affirming that U.S. forces continue to conduct strong strikes. He believes military pressure will eventually coerce Tehran into retreating and returning to negotiation talks.
Separately, Trump addressed reports of a cyberattack on water treatment facilities in Minnesota, expressing disbelief that Iran was behind the attack. He attributed the issue to "inefficiency" at a local level, considering that Tehran has bigger priorities than conducting such attacks.
This escalation in American rhetoric comes as military confrontations between Washington and Tehran persist, alongside continued diplomatic communication and attempts to maintain negotiation channels.