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16 May 2026, 03:52

Donald Trump, referring to the increased economic costs resulting from the confrontation with the Islamic Republic, urged Americans to endure this short-term pressure, stating that preventing the threat from the Iranian regime is a higher priority than the short-term economic consequences.

He emphasized: "I'm sorry you're enduring this pressure, but we have to stop this very crazy group."

In another part of the interview, the U.S. President said that the Iranian regime has been severely weakened militarily and reiterated: "They no longer have a navy. They don't have an air force. Everything has been destroyed. Their air force is gone."

He stressed: "The Strait will be opened. They will not have nuclear weapons, and the world will go on."

The U.S. President stated that he halted the final phase of operations against Iran at the request of officials from Pakistan. He said: "They said: Can you stop? We are going to reach an agreement. And we really had the framework of an agreement; without a nuclear program."

Trump further emphasized that Tehran had agreed to hand over the remnants of its nuclear program but has retreated after every agreement. He said: "Every time they agree, the next day it’s as if they say we never had such discussions. This has happened about five times. There is a problem with them. They are really crazy. And that’s why they cannot have nuclear weapons."

In another part of the interview, in response to the question of whether he underestimated the strength and resilience of the Iranian regime, he said: "I did not underestimate anything. We have hit them hard."

Trump emphasized that the U.S. has deliberately not targeted part of Iran's infrastructure, adding: "We left their bridges intact. We left their power infrastructure intact. We can destroy all of it in two days; everything." He said that oil facilities and some infrastructure in Khark have not been attacked because damage to them could lead to the loss of oil.

Regarding the status of negotiations with the Islamic Republic, the U.S. President said that the individuals the U.S. is talking to seem "reasonable," but they lack the ability or readiness to make decisions.

In response to the question of who the U.S. is currently dealing with in Iran, he said: "We are dealing with people who I think are reasonable, but they are afraid of an agreement. They don’t know how to agree. They have never been in such a situation before." He emphasized that he would do what is right and would wait until a deal is reached.

He also mentioned that Iranian officials told him that the location of nuclear materials has been severely targeted and that a "granite mountain" has collapsed on it. Trump added: "They said only two countries can access it; us and China. They said they themselves cannot access it because it has been completely destroyed."

Trump stated: "We cannot allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. They will use it against us. First, they will destroy Israel, then the Middle East, then Europe."

Regarding the rise in fuel prices in the U.S., he said the economic pressure resulting from the crisis will be short-term, adding: "When people hear the full explanation, everyone will agree. This will be a short-term pain." Trump said that after the crisis ends, energy prices will "drop like a rock."

The U.S. President, in response to concerns about the increased economic pressure on American families due to the war with Iran and rising costs, said citizens must endure this pressure because, according to him, the goal is to confront a greater threat.

In reaction to the fact that some Americans feel the increase in costs and economic pessimism, he said: "They have to endure and believe that we will take them to a better place. But I have to do the right thing."

Trump linked the economic pressures resulting from the crisis to the necessity of confronting the Islamic Republic, saying: "I told the people I’m sorry you’re enduring this pressure, but we have to stop this very crazy group."

The U.S. President also stated that the Iranian oil tankers that China has recently moved were allowed to do so by Washington. He said: "We allowed this to happen."

In conclusion, in response to the question of whether the Iranian regime will ultimately retreat, he said: "Yes, definitely. I have no doubt."
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