In recent days, the U.S. and Iran have reportedly been going back and forth with proposals that could possibly bring about an end to the war they’ve been fighting for most of 2026. But now, President Donald Trump has once again made an aggressive threat directed at the Iranians.
The comments, per Politico, came in a White House briefing on Wednesday, when a reporter asked the president how he can “get a deal done” with the Iranians, whom Trump has described as “crazy.”
An F-35C Lighting II, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, prepares to take off from flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea, May 25, 2026. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWACSG) is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Estrella Velarde)
An F-35B Lightning II taxis on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship, USS Tripoli (LHA 7) during flight operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 4, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo)
Trump’s response? “Maybe you blow ‘em up.” After Trump made that statement a second time, he added, “We have to make that decision.”
“We blow ‘em up [or] make a deal,” Trump added. “But the time is coming.” He concluded by saying the time for a decision is approaching.
Trump seemed proud of that answer, posting the 24-second clip to Truth Social Wednesday night.
The State of the Talks
According to Politico, some indirect diplomacy took place last week during the United Nations General Assembly, with Qatar mediating talks between the U.S. and Iran. During that process, Iran made an offer to the U.S.: it would declare a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. lifting its naval blockade and providing some sanctions relief while unfreezing assets.
Various reports over the last week said Iran had conveyed the offer to the U.S. last week, before Trump publicly rejected the overture over the weekend, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that the president had told aides that he expected to start bombing Iran again after the midterm elections, which are now just over a month away.
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Iran said it had received an official U.S. response to its latest ceasefire offer, though it was unclear what it said or whether it differed from what Trump had said publicly a few days earlier.
A History of Threats
Throughout the war, President Trump has very frequently made apocalyptic threats about “destroying” or otherwise dealing a decisive blow to Iran. He often frames these threats as something he may do if diplomacy or other measures fail, and he has ultimately not followed through on most of them.
Last week, in his UN General Assembly speech, Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran, and to “drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations.”
Back in March, Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s water desalination plants and power infrastructure if they didn’t reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In April, Trump wrote on social media that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” although shortly after that he pulled back and pursued a diplomatic process. In July, Trump threatened to blow up Iran’s power plants and bridges if the attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz continued. In July, in response to threats of his assassination, he threatened to “decimate and destroy” Iran.
At various times, Trump has threatened to blow up or possibly seize Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. And among other threats of attacks on specific places, Trump threatened in September to attack Pickaxe Mountain, a facility that Iran reportedly uses as part of its nuclear program.
Talking Iran
This week, Trump gave an interview to Time Magazine, published Thursday.
The wide-ranging interview covered everything from A.I. safety concerns to the president’s recent banishment of news outlets from the White House. They also discussed the status of the war in Iran.
Time’s reporter said Trump originally said the war would take “about six to eight weeks,” and it has now extended into its seventh month.
Trump answered that the war has continued because “I wanted to go further. I took them out. I could have stopped then, but I wanted to go further.”
The president went on to tout his success in crushing Iran’s military capability.
“Everything’s gone, and they want to make a deal, but I want to make the real deal,” the president added.
And when asked about the “annihilate” comment, Trump responded that “Yeah, I would do that. It’s possible.” He added that it was “possible” that the bombing could resume after the midterms.
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review, and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has written thousands of articles on politics, national security, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
