Trump says Iran wants nuclear deal, warns 'cannot have a nuclear weapon'
Synopsis
Speaking at a Federal Reserve swearing-in ceremony — an unlikely venue — Trump declared Iran is 'dying to make a deal' while simultaneously warning it can never have a nuclear weapon. He offered no details on talks, claimed $18 trillion in US investment under his watch, and announced a $1.5 trillion military budget, blending foreign policy brinkmanship with economic boosterism in a single address.
Key Takeaways
President Donald Trump said on 23 May that Iran is eager to reach a deal with the United States .
Trump reaffirmed his red line: 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,' warning that US pressure on Tehran will continue.
He did not specify what actions he meant when saying the US had 'hit them hard', and no details of any talks were provided.
Trump announced plans to submit a $1.5 trillion military budget and claimed $18 trillion in US investment over 11 months .
The remarks were made at the White House during the swearing-in of new Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh .
US President Donald Trump declared on Friday, 23 May that Iran is eager to reach a deal with Washington, even as he reaffirmed that the United States would maintain relentless pressure on Tehran over its nuclear ambitions. 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,' Trump said, framing the standoff as a non-negotiable red line for his administration.
Where the Remarks Were Made
Trump delivered the comments at the White House during the swearing-in ceremony of new Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh — an unusual setting that saw the US President weave together economic policy, defence posture, and foreign affairs in a single address. The remarks were not part of a formal Iran policy briefing, and no senior national security officials were cited alongside them.
'Iran is dying to make a deal. We'll see what happens, but we hit them hard, and we had no choice because Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,' Trump said.
What Trump Said — and What He Did Not
Trump did not clarify what specific actions he was referring to when he said the US had 'hit them hard', nor did he offer details about any ongoing or prospective negotiations with Tehran. The White House provided no additional context. The comments nonetheless signal that the administration continues to view Iran's nuclear programme as among the foremost threats to US national security.
Notably, this is consistent with Trump's longstanding position — he has repeatedly stated that a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable — but the suggestion that Tehran is actively seeking a deal represents a notable characterisation, one that Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed.
Military Budget and Economic Claims
Trump used the same address to announce plans to submit a $1.5 trillion military budget, linking defence spending to what he described as an era of unprecedented American industrial revival. 'We're building factories, car plants, everything, AI, everything all over the country,' he said, adding, 'Nobody's ever seen anything like it.'
He also claimed that $18 trillion had been invested in the United States during the first 11 months of his administration, crediting tariffs with helping restore domestic manufacturing. The figure could not be independently verified from the remarks alone.
Xi Jinping Reference and Military Posture
Trump also referenced a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, recounting that he had told Xi: 'We have the greatest military in the world.' The aside underscored the administration's broader effort to project military dominance as a diplomatic signal to both adversaries and allies.
This comes amid continued US-Iran tensions that have persisted across administrations, with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — abandoned by Trump during his first term — still unrestored. Any fresh deal would require significant diplomatic groundwork that, according to reports, has not yet formally begun.
What to Watch Next
Whether Trump's remarks translate into a structured diplomatic channel with Tehran remains to be seen. Analysts note that similar signals in the past have not always preceded formal negotiations. Iran's response, if any, and the posture of key regional actors will be closely watched in the coming weeks.
Point of View
Not a diplomatic development — and that distinction matters. Tehran has made no such public overture, and the White House offered no corroborating detail. Mixing this claim into a Federal Reserve ceremony, alongside a $1.5 trillion defence budget announcement and unverified investment figures, suggests the remark was as much domestic political messaging as foreign policy signal. The deeper question is whether the administration has a structured Iran strategy or is managing the nuclear threat through periodic rhetorical pressure — a pattern that has not produced a deal across multiple US presidencies.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Trump say about Iran and a nuclear deal?
Trump said on 23 May that Iran is 'dying to make a deal' with the United States, while warning that Washington would maintain pressure because 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.' He did not provide details about any formal negotiations or diplomatic contacts with Tehran.
Where did Trump make these remarks about Iran?
Trump made the remarks at the White House on 23 May during the swearing-in ceremony of new Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh. The setting was not a formal foreign policy briefing.
What did Trump mean when he said the US 'hit them hard'?
Trump did not clarify what specific actions he was referring to. The White House provided no additional context, and the remark was not elaborated upon during the address.
What military and economic claims did Trump make alongside the Iran remarks?
Trump announced plans to submit a $1.5 trillion military budget and claimed $18 trillion had been invested in the United States during the first 11 months of his administration, crediting tariffs with reviving domestic manufacturing. These figures were not independently verified from the remarks.
Has Iran responded to Trump's claim that it wants a deal?
Iranian officials had not publicly confirmed any desire for a deal at the time of Trump's remarks. Any formal diplomatic process would require significant groundwork that, according to available reports, has not yet formally begun.
