Trump Declares U.S. Holds “Overwhelming Leverage” Over Iran, Vows to Extract Concessions

Reported by Kokcha News Agency:
President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that U.S. sanctions have severely crippled Iran’s economy and political system, leaving the Islamic Republic struggling to function. Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump described the sanctions as “very harsh” and “biting,” adding, “They’re really struggling under these sanctions.”

Trump’s Hardline Stance
Trump emphasized that while he hopes for eventual normalization, negotiations with Tehran are not a current priority. “I hope the day comes when we can get along and they rebuild their country,” he said, but made clear that any nuclear agreement is off the table for now. “It’s no longer a priority,” he said, referring to talks over Iran’s nuclear program.

“We Get Whatever We Want”
Reinforcing his hardline stance, Trump stated that the United States maintains control over the situation: “We get whatever we want from Iran,” he repeated multiple times during the press interaction, underlining his administration’s belief in the effectiveness of its pressure campaign.

Claims of Military Success
The U.S. president also claimed that Iran’s nuclear and strategic infrastructure had been severely damaged by recent American military strikes. “They’ve been hit very hard. It’ll take them years to rebuild what we destroyed,” he said. According to Trump, the destruction was so extensive that “nobody can even go near those places for years.”

Trump called the operation against Iran’s nuclear facilities a “tremendous success,” saying, “They’re not happy… It’s destroyed.” He framed the operation as a strategic victory and a demonstration of American military superiority in the region.

Maximum Pressure Campaign
Trump’s remarks reaffirm his administration’s commitment to a maximum pressure campaign that prioritizes economic and military leverage over diplomacy. Analysts say this approach is aimed at forcing Iran into submission rather than reaching a negotiated settlement.

Global Concerns
While Iran has yet to officially respond to Trump’s latest claims, the rhetoric signals sustained U.S.–Iran tensions, with little sign of a diplomatic thaw. The global community remains concerned about the risk of further escalation in the absence of renewed engagement.