Trump Claims Iran ‘Decimated’, Signals Talks While Slamming NATO Allies

Washington, March 2026 : US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that Iran has been “decimated” by American military operations and confirmed that negotiations are now underway, even as he sharply criticised NATO allies for what he described as a lack of support during the conflict.

Speaking to reporters after arriving on Air Force One and later at the Future Investment Initiative Priority Summit in Miami, Trump said sustained US military pressure had significantly weakened Iran and pushed it towards dialogue. “They are being decimated. We are talking now. They want to make a deal,” he said, without detailing the structure or timeline of the ongoing talks.

In his Miami address, Trump outlined what he described as sweeping military successes against Iran. He claimed that US forces had destroyed large portions of Iran’s weapons stockpiles, including missile systems and drone manufacturing facilities. According to him, the operations had severely damaged Iran’s defence infrastructure.

“Iran’s navy is gone… their air force is completely destroyed… their defence systems and communications are dismantled,” Trump said, asserting that the campaign had exceeded expectations and achieved objectives ahead of schedule.

He also made strong claims about the impact on Iran’s leadership, suggesting that key figures had been eliminated, though he did not provide independent verification. Trump framed the military campaign as a decisive move to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to reshape regional security dynamics.

“As President, I will never allow a state sponsor of terror to obtain nuclear weapons,” he said, linking the offensive to broader global security goals.

Despite the aggressive tone, Trump indicated that the situation had opened the door for diplomacy. He reiterated that Iran was now under pressure to negotiate, saying, “They are negotiating… they are asking to make a deal.”

Alongside his remarks on Iran, Trump launched a strong attack on the NATO alliance, calling it a “paper tiger” and questioning its reliability. He expressed frustration over what he described as the lack of timely support from member countries during the conflict.

Trump cited conversations with leaders such as Emmanuel Macron, claiming that offers of assistance came only after military operations had largely concluded. He also criticised responses from countries like the United Kingdom and Germany, suggesting their support was delayed or insufficient.

“Why should we defend them if they are not there for us?” Trump asked, indicating that the US may reconsider its commitments to the alliance. He argued that the burden of defence spending has been disproportionately carried by the United States and hinted at a possible shift in policy.

At the same time, Trump praised several Middle Eastern nations for their support, stating that they had shown stronger alignment with the US compared to some NATO members.

The President’s remarks highlight a dual message—asserting military dominance over Iran while signalling openness to negotiations, and simultaneously questioning long-standing alliances. As tensions continue, his statements suggest a potential recalibration of both US foreign policy strategy and its global partnerships.