Trump warns Iran fighting isn’t over as he vows US will ‘win’ as talks fade

President Donald Trump has said Americans should expect the conflict with Iran to continue, predicting that Tehran's ability to strike back would gradually "peter out" under sustained US pressure. The comments, made during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David, mark a notable shift from his optimism earlier in the week about renewed negotiations, and suggest the five-month conflict may drag on without a clear resolution as the US approaches the November midterm elections.

Trump said the US was "trying to be nice" while claiming Iran had been "decimated" and now lacked a navy, air force or meaningful anti-aircraft capability, though he acknowledged it retained "some" capacity to fight. He also said he was "losing faith" in reaching a deal, accusing Tehran of lying during negotiations. The remarks followed a heavy US strike two days earlier on dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets, in response to Iranian missile attacks on US forces, after a June ceasefire agreement collapsed and fighting resumed in July over attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Mediators including Oman, Qatar, Pakistan and Egypt have been trying to revive a deal, but talks remain stalled over control of the strait, sanctions relief and Iran's nuclear programme.