US President Donald Trump has once again hit out at Iran, repeating his claim that the country is under heavy pressure and eager to reach a deal with the United States. “We knocked the hell out of Iran. They are dying to settle. Iran wants to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral because we’re nice,” Trump said.
His remarks come at a time, as Iran holds a high-profile funeral ceremony for its former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.
Trump’s earlier ‘hungry nation’ remark adds to tensions
This is not the first time Trump has made headlines for his comments on Iran. Earlier, in an interview with CNBC, he said Iran’s economy was deeply damaged.
“They have 300 per cent inflation, they’re making no money,” Trump said. He also suggested that the United States could eventually export food supplies to Iran, including corn, wheat and soybeans, if diplomatic progress continues.
“They need food. They need corn, wheat, and soybeans, and we’re going to have exclusively our American farmers provide that,” he added.
Iran pushes back hard
Trump’s remarks have triggered a strong response from Iranian officials. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticised the comments, saying they reflected a misunderstanding of Iran’s situation and accused the US of ignoring its own domestic issues.
He pointed to millions of Americans relying on food assistance, saying Washington should “mind its own challenges” before commenting on Iran. The controversy also comes amid debate in the US over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
According to reports, US authorities have flagged billions of dollars in payment errors in the programme, while critics argue that the issue is being exaggerated and could impact support for low-income families.
US-Iran talks continue
Meanwhile, US and Iranian officials have continued indirect talks in Doha, focusing on maritime security and financial issues, including the unfreezing of Iranian assets. Officials say there has been “positive progress,” but key disagreements remain, especially on nuclear-related concerns.
The next round of talks is expected after the completion of funeral ceremonies for Iran’s former Supreme Leader. In Washington, Trump has claimed progress in broader negotiations, particularly on limiting Iran’s nuclear programme, though reports suggest the issue was not a major part of the latest discussions.
US Vice President JD Vance said nuclear concerns would be addressed in later stages of talks, signaling that negotiations are still in early phases.
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