Trump rejects ceasefire, says US ‘obliterating’ Iran

2026-03-21 - 04:40

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said Friday he does not support a ceasefire in the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran, arguing that halting the conflict now would be premature.“I don't want to do a ceasefire. You know, you don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side,” Trump told reporters before departing the White House.Asked whether Israel would be prepared to end the war alongside Washington, Trump said: “I think so. The relationship is a very good one... We want, more or less similar things ... We want victory, both of us.”His remarks came hours after he said he was seeking talks with Iran but claimed there was “nobody to talk to,” following weeks of US-Israeli strikes that killed senior Iranian officials, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior official Ali Larijani.Iran has also rejected ceasefire discussions, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating this week that the United States is “responsible” for the war and its broader regional consequences.Trump also downplayed US reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil chokepoint, saying Washington does not depend on it.“We don't use the strait ... We don't need it. Europe needs it. (South) Korea, Japan, China ... So they'll have to get involved a little bit,” he said.The Strait of Hormuz has been at the center of global energy concerns after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced its closure to most vessels in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes launched on Feb. 28.Trump’s call for international support to reopen the waterway has met resistance from several countries, with some arguing the conflict was initiated without broad consultation and should not require external involvement.