Trump says Iran won't agree to a deal because it's 'strong and proud,' but insists they'll have 'no choice'

President Donald Trump asserted that Iran's reluctance to finalize a deal to end hostilities stems from its leaders being "strong and proud." However, he confidently stated that Tehran will ultimately "have no choice" but to negotiate peace terms with Washington.

During an interview with NBC News, Trump defended the current pace of diplomatic exchanges, dismissing calls for an immediate resolution to the conflict, which has entered its fourth month. He drew a parallel to the Vietnam War to explain that resolving such a large-scale confrontation requires extended timelines.

“

They are strong, proud, there are things they never thought they would do and they will have to do. They have no choice, and it takes time.

Trump reiterated his administration's claims of significantly degrading Iran's military capabilities, particularly its drone and missile programs. He estimated that the Islamic Republic retains only about 21% to 22% of its original military capacity.

Concurrently, Iran's economic demands surfaced. A senior Iranian official informed CNN that the potential for an agreement hinges on the Trump administration formally releasing $24 billion in frozen sovereign funds. "If he (Trump) wants to reach an agreement with Iran, these $24 billion are a test of the trust that Iran wants to have with Trump; this is a test that the United States must overcome and the path will open," the official stated anonymously.

“

If he (Trump) wants to reach an agreement with Iran, these $24 billion are a test of the trust that Iran wants to have with Trump; this is a test that the United States must overcome and the path will open.