President Donald Trump today shifted gears once again in his approach to the war with Iran, writing on social media that the US doesn’t “need a deal” with Tehran and ordering his vice president to turn his focus elsewhere.
“We don’t need a deal with Iran. Those days have long since passed!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “We’ve got their money, Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and we’ve got their Strait!”
Trump also said he was directing his Vice President JD Vance, who had been tasked with leading negotiations between the US and Iran, “to focus his complete and total attention” on rooting out corruption and crime in Democratic states and cities.
Trump’s comments come as diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran have accelerated in recent days, with both countries quietly negotiating a sensitive agreement that could avert a return to all-out war and open the door to broader talks. It’s also at a politically convenient time for Vance, who has had little success in leading the negotiations and has publicly blamed the war for Republicans’ catastrophic midterm losses — a move many interpreted as a way to distance himself from the conflict as he considers whether to mount a 2028 presidential run.
The president told CBS’ “60 Minutes” on Sunday that he was “not looking” to escalate the war.
On Monday, Trump told reporters in the White House briefing room: “At this point, it won’t be necessary, taking the military action.”
After Republicans suffered a brutal defeat in last week’s midterm elections, top White House officials have accelerated discussions over the need to end the war.
Trump himself has admitted that the war with Iran was largely responsible for the shellacking delivered to his party, but he has insisted he would not act differently if he had a chance to do things over.
