Donald Trump said his administration is making significant progress in its approach toward Iran, claiming that “we’ve essentially defeated the military” while emphasizing that diplomatic negotiations are still ongoing. He framed the situation as a potential success, but made clear that the United States retains multiple options depending on whether a deal is reached.

Trump described the current moment as a decisive phase, stating that the administration is working on a negotiated settlement while also maintaining leverage through continued pressure. His comments reflect a dual-track strategy: pursuing an agreement while signaling that alternative measures remain available if diplomacy fails.

The remarks come amid broader U.S. efforts to shape a post-conflict framework with Iran following sustained military and economic pressure campaigns. Supporters argue the approach reinforces deterrence and strengthens negotiating leverage, while critics caution that declaring military defeat too early may complicate long-term stabilization efforts and regional security dynamics.