Us-iran Tensions Ease as Trump Considers Diplomatic Solutions

WHO:

CNN - President Donald Trump

CNN - Chris Wright, Energy Secretary

Alternet - Sina Azodi, director of the Middle East Studies Program at George Washington University

Alternet - Michael “Mick” Mulroy, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East

WHAT:

CNN - Trump stated that the war with Iran is going "extremely well" and claimed the US has "hit Iran very hard."

CNN - Trump mentioned that Iran no longer has Navy and Air Force capabilities and has "very few drones left."

CNN - Trump expressed that he thinks Iran would "love to make a deal" but does not believe they are ready yet.

CNN - Trump indicated that the US is actively negotiating with Iran while keeping military options available.

NY Post - The White House has not publicly announced a formal cease-fire regarding the pause in strikes against Iran.

NY Post - Trump stated that the US is "locked and loaded" for a possible major attack while talks continue.

Alternet - Experts warned that a "massive" renewed military assault on Iran would likely not be effective in subduing the country.

Alternet - Experts indicated that intensified airstrikes would not change Iran's calculations in the ongoing peace talks.

The Washington Post - Trump emphasized negotiations with Iranian officials, leaning towards diplomacy over military escalation.

WHERE:

CNN - White House

WHY:

CNN - Trump believes that Iran is becoming "more serious" in ongoing talks, suggesting a potential shift towards diplomacy.

Alternet - Experts argue that bombing would not change Iran's perspective, as they view the conflict as a "war of survival."

HOW:

CNN - Trump met with top advisers and Cabinet officials to discuss potential escalation of the war.

(UPDATED July 26, 2026 01:26 UTC)

President Trump stated that the war with Iran is going "extremely well," claiming the U.S. has "hit Iran very hard" and asserting that the country no longer has significant Navy and Air Force capabilities. While Trump indicated that the U.S. is actively negotiating with Iran and believes they would "love to make a deal," he also mentioned that the U.S. is "locked and loaded" for a possible major attack as talks continue. Experts warn that a renewed military assault would likely be ineffective in changing Iran's calculations, as they view the conflict as a "war of survival."