01 May,2026 09:22 AM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondent
US President Donald Trump speaks after signing several executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on Thursday, April 30. PIC/AFP
US President Donald Trump stated that Iran has been significantly weakened by US military action and is now eager to negotiate a deal, while tensions remain high over Tehran's nuclear programme.
"Iran is dying to make a deal," Trump said, while reiterating that Tehran "cannot be nuclear".
He claimed that the US strikes had sharply degraded Iran's military capabilities.
"Their Navy is gone. Their Air Force is gone⦠their drone factories are about 82 percent down," he said. Trump added that missile production had also been hit: "Their missile factories are almost 90 percent down."
Describing the US operation as decisive, Trump said, "We obliterated that nuclear capacity of theirs." He also suggested leadership instability in Iran: "We have a problem because nobody knows for sure who the leaders are."
Despite the conflict, Trump highlighted positive US economic indicators: "We just hit a new high today on the stock market." He noted that only a limited group was aware of ongoing talks: "Nobody knows what the talks are except myself and a couple of other people."
Trump emphasised continued economic pressure: "They're not getting any money from oil⦠the blockade is incredible." He framed the conflict as essential to prevent nuclear proliferation: "You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon," and added that Iran's economy was deteriorating: "Their economy is crashing."
The developments have major implications for global energy markets, with oil prices highly sensitive to Middle East events. India, a historical importer of Iranian oil, is closely monitoring the situation for its energy security.
US President Donald Trump received a briefing from CENTCOM on new possible strikes against Iran, according to Axios.
The briefing by CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper and the Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs lasted around 45 minutes.
The plans include a "short and powerful" wave of strikes on infrastructure targets, options to take over the Strait of Hormuz to reopen it for commercial shipping, and a special forces operation to secure Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Trump has previously told Axios that the naval blockade remains a key pressure tool: "The blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing. They are choking like a stuffed pig. And it is going to be worse for them. They can't have a nuclear weapon."
President Donald Trump has hinted at withdrawing US troops from Italy and Spain amid ongoing differences over the Iran conflict.
When asked about possible reductions, Trump said, "Yeah, probably, I probably will. Why shouldn't I?" He criticised both nations: "Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible."
The remarks highlight growing tensions with NATO allies, many of whom have not joined the US-led operations against Iran or efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Trump is also reviewing a possible reduction of US troops in Germany.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth defended President Trump's proposed USD 1.5 trillion military budget, calling it essential given the current global security environment.
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hegseth said the budget would "position our forces for the current and future fights" and reverse years of underinvestment. "The USD 1.5 trillion budget will ensure that the United States continues to maintain the world's most powerful and capable military," he said.
He highlighted a 7 per cent pay increase for junior enlisted personnel, plans to eliminate poor barracks, and over USD 50 billion in private-sector investments creating 70,000 new jobs.
A Senate Armed Services Committee hearing turned heated as Secretary Pete Hegseth faced sharp criticism from Democratic and independent senators over the Iran conflict and the USD 1.5 trillion defence budget.
Ranking Member Jack Reed accused the administration of entering an "unwise" conflict without a clear strategy and warned that claims of victory were "dangerously exaggerated".
Hegseth pushed back: "Our military objectives have been stunningly effective," citing significant degradation of Iran's capabilities. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand noted that Americans were "furious" about rising fuel and food prices caused by the war.
President Donald Trump told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to "fix your country first", criticising his handling of domestic issues amid differences on Iran.
At an Oval Office event, Trump said, "The German chancellor is doing a terrible job. He's got immigration and energy problems, and a problem with Ukraine."
He recounted asking Merz if he wanted Iran to have a nuclear weapon, to which the German Chancellor reportedly said no.
On Truth Social, Trump wrote that the Chancellor should focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine war and fixing Germany's issues with immigration and energy, rather than interfering with efforts against Iran's nuclear programme. He also confirmed his administration is reviewing a possible reduction of US troops in Germany.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticised the US naval blockade of Iranian ports as "an extension of military operations."
In a post on X, Pezeshkian said: "The world has witnessed Iran's tolerance and conciliation. What is being done under the guise of a naval blockade is an extension of military operations against a nation paying the price for its resistance and independence." He added that "Continuation of this oppressive approach is intolerable."
Meanwhile, US CENTCOM reported that 44 commercial vessels have been directed to turn around or return to port due to the blockade. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf vowed that Tehran would secure the Persian Gulf and end US "presence and interference" in the Strait of Hormuz.
(With AFP, IANS, and ANI inputs)
