US President Donald Trump declared on 25 July that Iran is actively seeking negotiations with Washington but drew a firm red line, stating that Tehran would never be permitted to acquire a nuclear weapon. Trump made the remarks at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, using the high-profile event to reiterate one of his administration's core foreign policy positions.

What Trump Said on Iran Talks

'They are talking to us right now. They'd love to make a deal,' Trump said, before tempering expectations. 'I don't think they're ready to. I don't think it's time yet. But I'm willing to listen,' he added.

The President was unequivocal on the nuclear question. 'They cannot have a nuclear weapon,' he said, warning that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose an existential threat not just to the United States but to Israel and the broader Middle East. 'We don't want to see Washington D.C. or any of our cities or Israel or, frankly, the Middle East destroyed with a nuclear weapon,' he said. 'And they would use it if they had it.'

Claims of Military Degradation

Trump also claimed that recent US military action had significantly degraded Iran's armed forces, though he offered no supporting evidence during his remarks. He asserted that Iran's navy and air force were 'gone' and claimed the country had lost '250 jets', '159 boats', radar systems, and much of its drone capability. 'They don't have much left,' he said.

Notably, these claims have not been independently verified, and no official military assessment was cited to corroborate the figures.

The Nuclear File: Two Decades of Tension

Iran's nuclear programme has been a central flashpoint in US foreign policy for nearly two decades. During his first term, Trump withdrew the United States from the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement — formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — and has consistently maintained that any future deal must permanently bar Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran has repeatedly insisted its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful civilian purposes.

This is the latest in a series of public statements by Trump underscoring that denuclearisation of Iran remains the non-negotiable centrepiece of his administration's Iran strategy.

Broader Remarks at the Dinner

The nuclear and Iran comments were among the few substantive foreign policy passages in an otherwise hour-long address that ranged across humour, media criticism, and political commentary. Trump opened his remarks by condemning political violence and praising the Secret Service and law enforcement officers who responded to a shooting that had forced the postponement of the original April event.

Trump also claimed the United States had dramatically restored its global standing during his second term, citing conversations with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Saudi leaders who, he said, described America as 'the hottest country anywhere in the world.' 'We were a dead country two years ago,' Trump said. 'We're on the cusp of something. This is the golden age of America.'

What Comes Next

With Iran reportedly open to dialogue but no formal talks yet scheduled, the trajectory of any prospective deal remains uncertain. Analysts will be watching whether Trump's public signalling translates into a structured diplomatic channel, and whether Tehran's posture shifts in response to the administration's stated military and diplomatic pressure.