Trump urges Iran to 'do the smart thing' and make a deal to end the war

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Iran to "do the smart thing" and reach a deal to end the war, saying he did not want to kill more Iranians even as the ceasefire teetered. Trump made the remarks in the Oval Office as both sides exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz in the sharpest escalation since the truce began.

What does Trump want from Iran in a deal?

Trump has said any agreement must ensure Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon. He accused Tehran of "playing games" with negotiations, claiming Iranian officials would speak to him respectfully but then deny contact on television. He warned that Iran's military was "totally gone" and said Washington could "do anything we want to them."

"They should do the smart thing, because we don't want to go in and kill people. Really don't," Trump told reporters. He declined to specify what actions Iran would have to take to formally violate the truce, saying only: "They know what to do. They know what not to do, more importantly, actually."

What military warnings did the U.S. issue alongside Trump's remarks?

Hours before Trump spoke, Washington's top military officer said U.S. forces remained ready to resume major combat operations against Iran if ordered. General Dan Caine warned that no adversary should mistake U.S. restraint for a lack of resolve. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth added that while the U.S. was "not looking for a fight," Iranian attacks would be met with "overwhelming and devastating American firepower."

What triggered the latest Strait of Hormuz escalation?

Iran fired missiles and drones at U.S. forces and UAE territory, including an energy facility, on Monday. Washington said it struck six Iranian boats it identified as threats to commercial shipping. The clashes came as Iran's chief negotiator warned Tehran "had not even started yet" in the crucial waterway.

Iran denied any of its combat ships were hit in the U.S. strikes but accused Washington of killing five civilian passengers on boats. Tehran said its attacks were a direct response to the U.S. military's attempt to guide ships through what it called "forbidden passages" of the strait. The Trump administration's operation, named Project Freedom, saw at least one ship, a Maersk vessel, successfully transit the Hormuz under U.S. escort on Tuesday.