By Janet Ekstract, NEW YORK – U.S. President Donald Trump called an impromptu press conference on Friday, to answer questions about the U.S.-Iran talks and the U.S. strikes on Iran. Though Trump did confirm that negotiations are ongoing, he expressed doubt about the two sides coming to an agreement. Trump said: “We won, they are militarily defeated,” referring to the Iranian government. When asked about the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranians threat to charge tolls for ships moving through the strait, Trump said: “We have a concept where we’ll charge tolls. Trump added: “We have to have a deal that’s acceptable to me, we want free traffic of oil.” Trump also told reporters that he already warned Iran that they have until July 11 at 8:00 p.m. to come to an agreement. If the Iranians fail to make a deal, Trump explained: “Every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night – every power plant will be completely demolished by12 o’clock tomorrow night.” Trump also said Iran is at its “weakest point” adding, “They have no communication,” referring to notes being sent back and forth with intermediaries.
The U.S. president touted America’s “unbelievable technology” that is far more capable, he said than what the Iranians have in terms of fire power. Trump further stated that the Strait of Hormuz is a “very big priority,” but when asked to reveal what the U.S. plans to do, he said: “Every single thing has been thought out by all of us, but I can’t reveal the plan.” Though Trump said he wished the Iranian people could take to the streets in protest, he acknowledged the Iranian government would kill them on the spot if they did. Trump reiterated: “We can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon” while claiming there has been “regime change” and that in his opinion, the people in power now are “smarter, sharper.” At the same time, Trump claimed that the Iranian people have said they don’t want the U.S. to stop their strikes on Iran because they want change. The president said that his envoys Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Vice President JD Vance are part of the negotiating team. Trump said he doesn’t want to destroy Iran’s infrastructure and that “All I want to have is a safe world.” He added about the Iranian people: “They would be willing to suffer to have their freedom.
