US President Donald Trump claimed on 23 May that Iran is actively seeking negotiations following recent US military strikes, asserting that Tehran's armed forces have been severely degraded and that the country will 'never have a nuclear weapon.' Trump made the remarks at a campaign-style rally in Rockland County, New York, where he framed the Iran confrontation as central to his administration's national security and economic agenda.

What Trump Said at the Rally

Speaking to supporters, Trump painted a stark picture of Iran's post-strike military condition. 'Now, Iran, their Navy's gone, their air force is gone — everything's gone, their leaders are gone,' he told the crowd. 'They want to settle so badly.' He accused mainstream media of downplaying the damage inflicted on Tehran, insisting the reality on the ground contradicted what he called 'fake news' coverage.

Trump returned to the Iran theme multiple times during the evening, including while discussing global energy prices. 'Oil prices are going to tumble as soon as I finish up with Iran, tumble, boom,' he said, arguing that stabilising the Middle East would ease pressure on global commodity markets.

Operation Epic Fury and the Terror Framing

Trump referenced what he called 'Operation Epic Fury' and described Iran as 'the world's number one state sponsor of terror.' He alleged that Tehran funnels money globally to foment instability, adding: 'They send their money all over the world to create problems. Never going to happen.' The remarks drew some of the loudest applause of the night, with supporters repeatedly chanting 'USA, USA.'

Notably, Trump also invoked a conversation he claimed to have had with the King of Saudi Arabia, quoting the monarch as saying: 'Mr. President, it's amazing, two years ago, you were a dead country.' The anecdote was used to argue that his administration had restored US global standing after what he described as weakness under former President Joe Biden.

Economic Claims and the Dow Jones Milestone

Trump wove his foreign policy narrative into a broader economic pitch, claiming his tariff policies and overall agenda had strengthened the US economy despite ongoing global tensions. He pointed to the Dow Jones index reaching 50,702 as evidence of domestic momentum, calling it 'an amazing thing.'

The rally in Rockland County was primarily focused on immigration, crime, and tax cuts, but Trump repeatedly pivoted to foreign policy, portraying military strength as the cornerstone of his presidency.

Context and What Comes Next

Trump's claims about Iran's military degradation and its reported desire to negotiate could not be independently verified at the time of the rally. Iran has not publicly confirmed any outreach for a deal. The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and ongoing international scrutiny of Iran's nuclear programme. Analysts and foreign policy observers will be watching closely for any formal diplomatic signals from Tehran in the days ahead.