Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Trump: Iran won't make necessary deal as 60-day deadline lapses
President Trump talked to reporters at the White House on Monday.
He said Iran wants to make a deal about its nuclear program, but not the kind of deal he thinks is needed.
The US and Iran signed an agreement in June, and the two months they gave themselves to reach a final deal ended on Monday.
Trump said he likes the idea of making the Strait of Hormuz part of the US, saying the US controls it with a naval blockade.
He also said Iran is in big trouble and has very high inflation.
Iran's military group, the IRGC, said Trump's claim about secret talks is not true.
Trump said North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, has responded to his messages.
Trump also said a CNN report about food shortages on the USS Abraham Lincoln was fake, and he told a CNN reporter to be quiet.
Trump was meeting Ryder Williams, a teenage lifeguard who saved a 10-year-old boy.
Trump said Iran wants a deal but won't make 'the kind of deal that I feel is necessary' to end its nuclear programme, as the 60-day memorandum of understanding window lapsed Monday.
Trump said he likes the idea of declaring the Strait of Hormuz a US territory, claiming total US control through its naval blockade.
Iran's IRGC rejected Trump's claim of a backchannel for talks, with spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi calling it a 'delusion.'
Trump said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has responded to his overtures after he ordered the US to scale back military exercises with South Korea.
Trump dismissed a CNN report about food shortages on the USS Abraham Lincoln as 'fake,' telling a CNN reporter to 'BE QUIET' and calling her a 'fake reporter.'
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters; Iran's IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi
- What
- Trump said Iran won't make the deal he considers necessary as the 60-day memorandum of understanding deadline lapsed, suggested declaring the Strait of Hormuz a US territory, said Kim Jong-un has responded to his overtures, and dismissed a CNN report on the USS Abraham Lincoln
- When
- Monday (17 August), the day the 60-day US-Iran memorandum of understanding deadline lapsed
- Where
- Oval Office, White House, Washington DC
- Why
- Trump addressed the status of negotiations with Iran and other matters during a meeting honoring teenage lifeguard Ryder Williams
Critics and Iranian officials
Trump administration
Conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln
Critics and Iranian officials
CNN reported there is not enough food on the USS Abraham Lincoln, and concerns have been raised about a mental health crisis and poor conditions for the 5,000 sailors and marines on the record-breaking deployment.
Trump administration
Trump dismissed the report as 'a CNN fake report,' saying the carrier is 'beautifully maintained' and has been out at sea for longer periods before.
Backchannel talks with Iran
Critics and Iranian officials
IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi called Trump's claim of a backchannel for talks a 'delusion,' saying no dialogue is ongoing between IRGC officials and the Americans and that Iran's diplomatic apparatus is not negotiating because of Washington's 'breach of promises.'
Trump administration
Trump claimed there is a backchannel for talks between Washington and the IRGC and said Iran wants a deal, though not the kind he considers necessary.
Control of the Strait of Hormuz
Critics and Iranian officials
Oman is reported to be working with Iran on a plan to open the strait and keep the waterway under the control of the two nations.
Trump administration
Trump said the US has 'total control' over the strait through its naval blockade and likes the idea of declaring it a US territory.
- US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed
- 17 June
- Negotiation window
- 60 days, lapsed Monday without consequence
- Iran inflation rate cited by Trump
- 300%
- USS Abraham Lincoln deployment
- Nine months without reaching port
- Sailors and marines onboard carrier
- 5,000
- Strait of Hormuz proposal
- Trump likes the idea of declaring it a US territory
- IRGC response
- Spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi called Trump's backchannel claim a 'delusion'
- Lifeguard honored
- Ryder Williams, who saved 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai off the California coast
