US President Donald Trump has sharpened his rhetoric on Iran, even as questions persist over the status of the conflict and the legal clock tied to it.
Trump's remarks on Iran and nuclear threat
Speaking at an event in Florida, Trump said the United States acted to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He stated that the country was engaged in conflict because "lunatics can't have a nuclear weapon".
He added, "We stopped them (Iran) with the B2 bombers. If we didn't do that, they would've had a nuclear weapon. Israel, the Middle East, and Europe would have been blown to pieces."
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Trump also claimed that Iran's military capabilities had been significantly weakened. "They have no navy. They have no air force. They have no anti-aircraft equipment. They have no radar. Their leaders are all gone," he said.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: We’re in a war because, I think you would agree, we can’t let lunatics have a nuclear weapon.
— Department of State (@StateDept) May 1, 2026
*Thunderous Applause* pic.twitter.com/Sx7DmMz8B4
War stance and rejected proposal
Despite indicating earlier that the war stands terminated, Trump rejected a recent proposal from Iran aimed at ending the conflict. "We're not going to leave early and have this kind of problem arise in three more years," he said.
He attributed the breakdown in talks to internal divisions within Iran’s leadership. "It's a very disjointed leadership," Trump said. "They all want to make a deal, but they're all messed up."
The proposal was reportedly delivered through Pakistan, acting as a mediator, but was rejected soon after being received.
A fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran continues, although both sides have accused each other of violations. While direct conflict has reduced, tensions remain high, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
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Diplomatic efforts continue
Iran's Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has been in contact with several regional leaders, including counterparts in Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Azerbaijan, to discuss efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
Meanwhile, talks mediated in Pakistan have not yielded a breakthrough. US Vice President JD Vance said there was no progress despite what he described as a "best possible offer".
Trump also signalled a harder stance on negotiations, saying there would be "no more 18-hour flights" for US envoys after Iran declined direct talks.
Two possible paths
Outlining possible next steps, Trump said the US faces a choice. "Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever? Or do we want to try and make a deal? I mean, those are the options," he said.
The situation remains fluid as diplomatic and military considerations continue side by side.
