Iran Wants to “Negotiate Badly” but is Not Ready to Meet US Conditions: Trump

US President Donald Trump has stated that Tehran maintains a strong desire to "negotiate badly", though he suggested the Iranian leadership is not yet prepared to meet American conditions.

While addressing the press on Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, the US President indicated that diplomatic talks remain a future possibility.

To address ongoing maritime instability, Trump confirmed he has been engaging with "other countries" regarding the "policing" of the Strait of Hormuz.

These discussions follow persistent threats of retaliatory strikes from Iran against international shipping. Tehran has maintained that the waterway remains accessible to most vessels but insisted that the passage is closed to ships associated with the US, Israel, and their respective allies.

How Have US Strikes Impacted Iran’s Drone Manufacturing Capability?

Expanding on the military aspect of the conflict, Trump stated that American forces have been "hitting" specific sites where Iran produces drones used for strikes against US and Israeli targets.

He claimed these operations have decimated Tehran's manufacturing capability, leaving it with roughly 20 per cent of its previous drone inventory.

The President further asserted that the Iranian military has been so heavily damaged that it would take the country a decade to rebuild.

Despite this, he saw "no reason to" officially declare victory yet. "I think I'd just say they're decimated. If we left right now, it would take them 10 years and more to rebuild. But I'm still not declaring it over," he said.

Trump maintained that US military operations have "essentially defeated Iran" by eliminating its air forces and air defence systems.

How Has the US Targeted Iran’s Command Structure in the Conflict?

He added that the campaign has successfully targeted the country's command structure, noting, "We've taken out their leadership times two, four, three, might be three, we'll find out soon."

Referencing the strategic strikes on Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export hub, Trump warned that Washington could inflict further damage at a moment's notice.

He noted that while certain infrastructure remains, the US has it "all locked and loaded" if Tehran fails to cooperate.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denounced Israeli military strikes on fuel storage facilities in the capital, categorising the offensive as a breach of international law and a form of "ecocide".

Sharing his concerns via social media platform X, Araghchi warned that the environmental fallout poses a severe risk to the local population. In his statement, he noted, "Residents face long-term damage to their health and well-being."

What could be the Long-Term Environmental Impacts of Israeli Strikes in Iran?

Highlighting the enduring nature of the environmental impact, the Foreign Minister suggested that the consequences would be felt for decades.

He stated that the "contamination of soil and groundwater could have generational impacts." Araghchi demanded international accountability following the attacks on the city's infrastructure, asserting that "Israel must be punished for its war crimes."

These accusations follow a massive aerial campaign by the Israeli Air Force, which confirmed on Sunday that it struck more than 200 targets across western and central Iran over the past day.

The IAF stated that the strikes targeted military infrastructure, including ballistic missile systems, defence installations, and operational headquarters where soldiers of the Iranian regime operated.

The Israeli military clarified that these strikes were part of its ongoing campaign targeting Iran's ballistic missile network and air defence systems in multiple locations across the country.

Earlier, the IAF shared footage of Lockheed Martin F-35I "Adir" stealth fighter jets heading toward Iran for the mission, referencing the deployment of these advanced aircraft for long-range strike operations.

The violence has also spread to neighbouring regions, with an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon killing five people and wounding six others, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

The agency reported that the strike targeted the town of Qatrani in the Jezzine district as hostilities continued to ripple across the border.

(With inputs from ANI)