Trump says he prefers Iran deal but warns military action remains option

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he would rather secure a deal with Iran than order military strikes, though he warned that the use of force remains an option should diplomacy falter. Speaking at an event in Las Vegas, Trump stated his administration had prepared a massive military campaign but paused those plans after Iranian officials requested talks.

'I'd rather make a deal'

"I'd rather make a deal because I don't want to kill people," Trump said at the event. He said his administration had been prepared to launch the "biggest attack since World War II," but paused after receiving a call from Tehran. "They called me and they said, 'Please don't do it. Let's talk,'" he said. "They say, 'We never said that.' You know what? The fake news knows they did say that, but we are talking."

Nuclear red line and economic outlook

Trump maintained that Iran cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. Turning to economic matters, he predicted that oil and gasoline prices would drop sharply once the current standoff is resolved. "We've been bringing down prices, and as soon as this situation ends with Iran, oil is going to go down to the floor, gasoline is going to go down," he added.

Stalled negotiations and recent escalation

On June 18, Washington and Tehran signed a framework agreement and launched negotiations toward a final deal before the talks stalled over disagreements on guarantees for security and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Last month, tensions escalated again as the US carried out strikes inside Iran, while Tehran responded by targeting what it described as US military facilities and equipment in several Arab countries, particularly Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.