Trump Claims Iran ‘Begging for Deal’ as US Military Pressure Intensifies

Washington, March 2026: Donald Trump on Thursday claimed that Iran is seeking negotiations following weeks of sustained American military strikes, asserting that US operations have severely weakened Tehran’s military capabilities. Speaking at a White House Cabinet meeting, Trump said the ongoing campaign—referred to as “Operation Epic Fury”—has dealt a devastating blow to Iran’s defence infrastructure.

The President stated that US forces had “obliterated” key elements of Iran’s military, including its navy, air force, and missile systems. According to Trump, a significant portion of missile launchers—estimated at nearly 90 per cent—has been destroyed, along with facilities involved in the production of drones and missiles. He maintained that Iran is now left with limited options: return to the negotiating table or face continued military pressure.

“They are begging to make a deal,” Trump said, adding that the United States is prepared to escalate further if necessary. He emphasised that the campaign is progressing faster than expected, noting that a mission initially projected to take several weeks is already ahead of schedule.

Vice President JD Vance echoed the President’s assessment, stating that Iran’s conventional military strength has been significantly reduced. He argued that the weakening of Iran’s defence capabilities provides Washington with greater strategic flexibility, particularly in ensuring that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the military campaign as a necessary response to long-standing threats. He accused Iran of engaging in hostile actions against American interests over several decades and warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a serious global risk. Rubio added that the current situation represents one of the weakest points for Iran in recent history.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff indicated that diplomatic channels remain open despite the ongoing conflict. He revealed that the United States has shared a 15-point framework for a potential peace agreement through intermediaries, with Pakistan reportedly playing a role in facilitating communication. According to Witkoff, early signals from these backchannel discussions have been encouraging, although previous negotiations failed due to Iran’s refusal to meet key US demands, including halting uranium enrichment and dismantling nuclear facilities.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted the scale and speed of the military campaign, describing it as unprecedented. He claimed that more than 150 naval vessels have been destroyed and thousands of targets struck, effectively neutralising Iran’s operational capacity. He also noted that US aircraft are now operating freely over Iranian airspace, suggesting a collapse of Iran’s air defence systems.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pointed to the parallel impact of economic measures, stating that sanctions have significantly weakened Iran’s financial system. He said the country’s economy had already suffered a major downturn and added that global oil markets remain stable, with shipping activity in the Gulf beginning to recover.

Trump also criticised NATO allies for their limited involvement in the campaign, describing the alliance as ineffective in this context and asserting that the United States has taken the lead role. Despite the tensions, he reiterated that Washington remains open to a negotiated settlement—but only on terms that address its core security concerns.

With both military and economic pressure mounting, the situation signals a critical juncture in US-Iran relations, as the possibility of renewed negotiations hangs in the balance.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)