US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that Iran’s military capabilities had been severely damaged and warned Tehran that it must either return to negotiations or face further action, as tensions in West Asia continued to rattle global energy markets.
Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing aboard Marine One, Trump repeatedly asserted that “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon” and described the ongoing blockade around Iran as “100 per cent effective”. He also claimed that Iran’s naval and air capabilities had effectively collapsed during the conflict.
The remarks come at a time when the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the centre of a widening geopolitical standoff involving the US, Iran and Israel. Shipping disruptions near the key maritime route have kept global oil markets on edge, while diplomatic conversations among major powers have intensified amid fears of a broader regional escalation.
“We’ll win it peacefully or otherwise,” Trump said during the interaction. “Their Navy’s gone, their Air Force is gone, every single element of their war machine is gone.”
The US President maintained that Iran had already suffered decisive military losses and warned that Washington was prepared to continue pressure on Tehran if necessary.
“They’re defeated militarily, and they’ll either do the right thing, or we’ll finish the job,” he said.
Trump also argued that oil prices and inflationary pressures would eventually ease once the conflict comes to an end. Predicting a sharp increase in crude supply, he said global markets would witness “a gusher of oil” after hostilities stop.
“As soon as this war is over, you’re going to see oil prices drop,” Trump said. “You’re going to see a stock market which is already at the highest point in history go through the roof.”
He dismissed criticism linking the conflict to rising inflation in the United States, calling current price pressures temporary.
“The most important thing by far is Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said later in the exchange. “If Iran has a nuclear weapon, the whole world would be in trouble.”
Iran accuses US of blocking peace efforts
Meanwhile, Iran sharply criticised Washington’s role in the conflict, accusing the US of acting in bad faith and fuelling instability in the region.
According to Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Norway’s deputy foreign minister in Tehran that the “lack of good faith and dishonesty of the United States” remained the biggest obstacle to ending the war.
Araghchi also blamed the US and Israel for escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, saying repeated violations of the ceasefire and the continued blockade of Iranian maritime ports had worsened the situation.
He said Iran, as a coastal state bordering the strategic waterway, was considering new regulations related to the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei also launched a strong attack on Washington and Tel Aviv in a post on X, describing the conflict as a battle between “good” and “evil”.
“What has been unleashed upon our peace-loving nation is not just another conflict,” Baqaei wrote, accusing the aggressors of violating international law and targeting civilians.
US announces fresh pressure on IRGC
In another escalation, the US Department of State announced a reward of up to USD 15 million for information related to the financial mechanisms of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
In a statement, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the Trump administration was intensifying its “Economic Fury” sanctions campaign aimed at disrupting Iranian oil operations and funding networks allegedly linked to regional militant groups.
The US also announced sanctions on individuals and entities accused of facilitating Iranian oil sales overseas on behalf of the IRGC.
“These actions disrupt illicit funding streams that finance Iran’s support for terrorist proxies and regional aggression,” the statement said.
The Rewards for Justice programme said it was seeking information related to sanctions-evasion networks, front companies, oil-for-money schemes and procurement channels allegedly connected to the IRGC and the IRGC-Quds Force.
Trump also used the media interaction to criticise NATO, calling the alliance “disappointing”.
“NATO was not there when we wanted them. We don’t need NATO,” he said.
The US President additionally praised Pakistan’s leadership during the interaction, saying, “The field marshal and the prime minister of Pakistan have been absolutely great,” without elaborating further.