U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 21, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
President Donald Trump became defensive in the Oval Office Tuesday when pressed by a reporter about the escalating U.S. war against Iran, which analysts warn may be spiraling out of control.
The U.S. has conducted daily strikes on Iran over the past week, prompting Iranian retaliatory attacks on American assets across the Middle East and killing two U.S. service members in Jordan and one in Iraq.
When the reporter, presumed to be a woman, asked, "There are no signs that Iran is ready to stop fighting, so what is the plan?" Trump responded dismissively.
“Well, how would you know?” he said, “How would you know if there are no signs? What, you know something that I don't know?”
Trump claimed Iran wants to meet desperately but is "getting decimated," asserting the U.S. has "no interest" until Iran is ready for "meaningful" talks.
The conflict has sparked concerns about oil price surges and supply shortages, particularly after Yemen's Houthis announced a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, according to Bloomberg.
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