Trump Downplays Urgency for Reaching Agreement with Iran

US President Donald Trump convened his second Cabinet meeting of 2026 on March 26, the first since the US and Israel launched a joint operation against Iran on February 28, and asserted that he is not eager to negotiate a deal with Iran.

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At the meeting, held in the White House Cabinet Room, Trump claimed that Iran is being severely weakened and is seeking a deal, despite denials from Tehran, and rejected suggestions that he is looking for a way to exit the conflict.

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Trump stated, "I read a story today that I'm desperate to make a deal, I'm the opposite of desperate, I don't care," as he addressed reporters during the 90-minute televised meeting.

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The US leader has been saying for days that Iran wants to negotiate a deal, but Iran has denied any direct talks, and Trump's comments have been marked by a mix of threats and diplomacy.

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Trump said, "They want to make a deal, the reason they want to make a deal is they have been just beat to shit," and cited the original timeframe of four to six weeks he gave after the US-Israeli offensive began.

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The President claimed that the US is "extremely, really, a lot ahead of schedule" and noted that Iran has allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a gesture of its willingness to negotiate.

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Trump also mentioned that taking control of Iran's oil is an "option" for the US, similar to what was done with Venezuela after the toppling of Nicolas Maduro, who appeared in a US court on Thursday.

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The US-Iran talks have been shrouded in uncertainty since Trump announced them on Monday and postponed a threat to attack Iran's power plants, and his comments will likely fuel speculation about his goals and timeline for the war.

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Trump's deadline for Iran to unblock the Strait of Hormuz or face an attack on its energy network is set to expire on Friday, but he expressed uncertainty about whether he would extend it, saying "in Trump time, a day, you know what it is, that's an eternity."

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Global envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed that Washington has sent a 15-point "action list" to Iran via mediator Pakistan and said there are "strong signs" that Iran might be willing to make a deal.

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Trump spent part of the meeting criticizing NATO and other allies for rejecting his appeals to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical passage for global crude oil and liquefied natural gas.

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He described the British aircraft carriers offered by London as "toys" compared to their US equivalents and said, "I've done a great favor for the world, the world has not been reciprocal, I believe that's going to cost them dearly."

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Top US diplomat Marco Rubio quoted rappers Public Enemy, saying "every day, the Department of War lets the drummer get wicked over every portion of Iran," as he expressed support for Trump's approach.

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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth praised Trump for "doing the work of the free world" and said, "We pray for a deal, and we welcome a deal, but in the meantime, the Department of War will continue negotiating with bombs."