Trump signals end to patience, tells Iran to deal or be destroyed

U.S. President Donald Trump declared he has limited patience left for Iran's leaders, warning they must strike a deal or risk total annihilation, as shared in a Thursday interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.

'I am not going to be much more patient,' Trump stated firmly. 'Now they can make a deal, or they get annihilated.' He added that any rational leader would negotiate, though he questioned Iran's sanity.

Trump emphasized the U.S. commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, insisting 'they would use it.'

Regarding Iran's existing enriched uranium stockpile, Trump expressed a preference for securing it directly rather than allowing it to remain buried under debris from prior U.S. and Israeli operations, including strikes in June 2025 and missions like Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion.

'I just feel better if I got it, actually. But it's more for public relations than anything else,' he remarked.

Trump revealed U.S. intelligence tracks Iran's recent buildup activities since the ceasefire began.

'I hope they're watching. Because all of their anti-stuff, anything they put up, we know exactly what they put up,' he said. 'We know everything they've done. They built it up a little bit. We'll take it out in one day. It'll all be gone.'

He continued: 'You know, they had a little respite. And so they're trying to get a few things together. It'll all be gone in one day. Everything they've done for the last four weeks will be gone in one day.'

Trump, Xi align on denying Iran nuclear capabilities

Following Thursday's discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the White House reported the leaders concurred that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, with Xi voicing firm opposition to its militarization or imposition of tolls.

The meeting occurred at Beijing's secure Zhongnanhai compound as Trump concluded his state visit to China.

'We've settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn't have been able to solve,' Trump noted.

Trump highlighted Xi's pledge against supplying military equipment to Iran. 'He said he's not going to give military equipment - that's a big statement,' he told Fox News.

Xi showed interest in boosting purchases of U.S. oil to lessen China's reliance on the strait, and both affirmed Iran must never possess nuclear arms, per the White House summary. Iran denies pursuing such weapons.

China's Foreign Ministry affirmed its clear stance on Iran.

'To find an early way to resolve the situation is in the interest of not only the U.S. and Iran, but also regional countries and the rest of the world,' the ministry stated.