US-Iran war, Day 27: Trump says Iran ‘begging for a deal’, US eyes control of Tehran’s oil as troops build up in Gulf

Top quotes from Donald Trump’s address:

On Iran seeking a deal:

• “They are begging to make a deal, not me. And everybody who saw what’s happened over there knows why.”
• “I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that. I don’t know if we’re willing to do that.” — On agreeing to a ceasefire.

On military progress:

• “We are absolutely obliterating Iran. They’re defeated, they’re not making a comeback. They now have a chance to make a deal, but that’s up to them.”
• “We’re crushing the missiles and drone stockpiles, destroying their defence industrial base, we’ve wiped out their navy, their air force completely, and wiped out a large percentage of their missiles, and 90 per cent of their launchers.”
• “We are way ahead of schedule.”

On Iran’s leadership:

• “They’re not fools, they’re very smart in a certain way and they’re great negotiators.”
• “I say they’re lousy fighters but great negotiators.”

On NATO:

• “The US doesn’t need NATO.”
• “Never forget this very important time.”

On the oil tankers:

• “They said, to show you the fact that we’re real and solid and we’re there, we’re going to let you have eight boats of oil, eight boats, eight big boats of oil. I guess they were right, and they were real, and I think they were Pakistani-flagged… It ended up being 10 boats.”

On Iran’s regional ambitions:

• “They start shooting at Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman. They start shooting at them and everybody was shocked, including us. You know why? Because they’re sick. And they had a plan to take over the Middle East. And some of those missiles that were shot at them were locked long before we even started this process. They were locked and loaded and aimed at those countries. They wanted to take over the Middle East. But we happened to come along, so it wasn’t so easy…”

On Iran’s oil:

• “Taking control of Iran’s oil is an option” — Trump told reporters, but added he would not elaborate further on it.

Iran and US harden positions as Tehran tightens grip on Strait of Hormuz

Trump’s press briefing comes even as Iran and the United States appeared at an impasse Thursday, with each side hardening its position over talks and setting the stage for another potential escalation in the Middle East war. Thousands more US troops neared the region, while Tehran tightened its grip on the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Sirens over Israel warned of barrages of incoming Iranian missiles, and Gulf nations worked to intercept fire. Heavy strikes were reported in Iran’s capital and other cities. In a war that appears defined by who can take the most pain, the US has offered shifting but ambitious objectives, including ensuring Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes are no longer a threat and ending Tehran’s support for armed groups in the region. Washington at one point also pushed for the overthrow of Iran’s theocracy.

While the US-Israeli campaign has hit Iran’s military and government hard, killing top leaders and striking scores of targets, Iran continues to fire missiles and there is no sign of an uprising against the government.

For Iran’s leadership, by contrast, merely outlasting the onslaught could be seen as victory. It may be hoping to get the US to back down by roiling the world economy with its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz — raising prices at the pump for drivers, prices in the grocery store for families and costs for businesses the world over.

President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the US has presented a 15-point “action list” to Iran, delivered through Pakistan as a framework for a possible peace deal.“If we can convince Iran that this is the inflection point, with no good alternatives for them other than more death and destruction … We have strong signs that this is a possibility, and if a deal happens, it will be great for the country, for Iran and the entire region and the world at large.”

(With inputs from agencies)