Donald Trump has accused Iran of deliberately attempting to stall peace negotiations, hoping to extend talks until November’s US midterm elections to secure more favorable terms. During a White House cabinet meeting, the US president asserted that Iran believed it could "outwait" him, a strategy he claimed would ultimately fail. He suggested Iran's intent was to escalate pressure on the US and global economies by maintaining the closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, but insisted Iran "wants very much to make a deal." Trump dismissed concerns about the midterms, referencing a recent political triumph, and highlighted Iran's struggling economy, citing "250% inflation" and a "broken down" economic system as reasons for their imperative to compromise.

The president's comments came amid reports that talks to end a nearly three-month conflict were at a critical juncture. Trump stated that current attempts to reach a deal had been unsatisfactory, but expressed confidence, adding, "Either that, or we will just have to finish the job." Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Trump firmly stated it "is going to be open to everybody" and that "nobody is going to control it," including Iran and Oman. He clarified that while the US would "watch over it," any attempt by these nations to control the international waters would result in severe consequences, including military action. He projected that a potential deal would immediately reopen the strait, which previously facilitated 20% of the world's energy supplies.

During the meeting, Trump also renewed his call for Arab allies, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to sign the Abraham Accords, which grant full diplomatic recognition to Israel. Initially, he suggested that a deal with Iran might be contingent on these countries joining the accords, stating, "I don’t think we should make a deal if they don’t sign." However, he subsequently retreated from making this a definitive condition when pressed, declining to specify what was truly contingent. The Abraham Accords were previously signed by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco during his first presidency.

Controversially, Trump claimed to have brought about regime change in Iran through the assassinations of a generation of its leaders, including the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Despite Khamenei being succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is considered more hardline, Trump declared, "We are dealing with a completely different group of people than we were at the beginning... One regime is gone, another regime is gone, we are dealing with the third." He found the new group to be "smarter."

The cabinet meeting itself had initially been slated for Camp David, the presidential retreat known for sensitive Middle East negotiations. However, citing adverse weather forecasts, Trump relocated it to the White House. This change raised eyebrows, given Trump's infrequent visits to Camp David compared to his predecessors. The gathering occurred as Trump's approval ratings were declining and economic pessimism was rising due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Despite Trump's weekend announcement that a deal to end hostilities was "close at hand" and "largely negotiated," the US had struck Iranian targets days prior, reportedly killing four members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, though negotiations were said to be continuing.

Trump had previously sent confusing signals on peace prospects, especially after receiving a negative reaction from US right-wing circles and anti-Tehran hawks. He expressed anger in a social media post, criticizing media commentators who depicted emerging terms as favorable to Iran and a potential humiliation for him. He wrote, "If Iran surrenders… and admit their defeat to the great power and force of the magnificent USA, the Failing New York Times, the China Street Journal (WSJ!), Corrupt and now Irrelevant CNN, and all other members of the Fake News Media, will headline that Iran had a Masterful and Brilliant Victory over The United States of America."

Among the participants at the meeting was Tulsi Gabbard, who had recently announced her resignation as director of national intelligence. Gabbard had previously drawn Trump’s disapproval for testifying to Congress that Iran was not pursuing nuclear weapons, just months before US forces bombed Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities. Despite this past friction, Trump praised Gabbard as "a terrific person," acknowledging her tireless work to restore trust and focus within the intelligence community, and her respected standing among them.