Trump: May have to hit Iran harder - or maybe not

President Donald Trump said the United States may need to intensify military action against Iran if a nuclear deal is not reached, while signaling he is still open to negotiations. He reiterated that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, adding that talks are in their final stages but warning of further strikes if no agreement is reached.

Nandita Bose, Katharine Jackson, Doina Chiacu/Reuters

May 21, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks about health care costs and affordability from an auditorium on the White House campus in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 18, 2026.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States may have to attack Iran even harder but will wait and see if a deal is reached, reprising the "either/or" rhetoric he has used since announcing a ceasefire six weeks ago.

"We'll see what happens," Trump said during a commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. "We hit them very hard. We may have to hit them even harder - but maybe not."

"We will not let Iran have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple," Trump told the cadets.

He said Iran's military might is largely gone and the only question is whether the U.S. goes back to finish the job or will Iran sign a deal.

"Everything's gone. Their navy's gone. Their air force is gone. Just about everything. The only question is, do we go and finish it up? Are they going to be signing a document? Let's see what happens," Trump said in a commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Trump said earlier on Wednesday that negotiations with Iran were in the final stages, while warning of additional attacks unless Iran agrees to a deal on its nuclear program.

-Nandita Bose, Katharine Jackson, Doina Chiacu/Reuters

"We'll see what happens," Trump said during a commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. "We hit them very hard. We may have to hit them even harder - but maybe not."

"We will not let Iran have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple," Trump told the cadets.

He said Iran's military might is largely gone and the only question is whether the U.S. goes back to finish the job or will Iran sign a deal.

Trump said earlier on Wednesday that negotiations with Iran were in the final stages, while warning of additional attacks unless Iran agrees to a deal on its nuclear program.

-Nandita Bose, Katharine Jackson, Doina Chiacu/Reuters