By Alayna Treene, CNN
(CNN) — President Donald Trump on Thursday offered mixed messages on his approach to the war with Iran, first writing on social media that the US doesn’t “need a deal” with Tehran and pulling Vice President JD Vance away from the talks to focus elsewhere, then later conceding it would be a “defeat” to walk away with Iran’s current regime still in power.
In a morning Truth Social post, Trump said he was directing Vance, who had been tasked with leading negotiations between the US and Iran, “to focus his complete and total attention” on rooting out corruption and crime in Democratic states and cities.
“We don’t need a deal with Iran. Those days have long since passed!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “We’ve got their money, Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and we’ve got their Strait!”
The comments came as diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran have accelerated in recent days, with both countries quietly negotiating a sensitive agreement that could avert a return to all-out war and open the door to broader talks. It’s also politically convenient for Vance, who has had little success in leading the negotiations and recently publicly blamed the war for Republicans’ catastrophic midterm losses — a move many interpreted as a way to distance himself from the conflict as he considers whether to mount a 2028 presidential run.
Trump, for his part, has said he agrees with Vance that the war is to blame for Republicans’ losses. But he has indicated his vice president should have clarified that the effort was nonetheless worth it.
“He should have made one other statement: ‘If you had it to do again, would you do it again? The answer is yes,’” Trump said.
Then, in an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt later Thursday, Trump took a more bellicose posture. He indicated he wouldn’t hesitate to resume military strikes in Iran if necessary, saying “it’s possible I would do it right now,” while at the same time indicating that he didn’t see a reason for military force.
“We control the Gulf in terms of the Hormuz Strait. We control it, totally control it,” Trump said. “But the answer is, if I saw things going the other way, I would, I would do that. And it’s possible I would do it right now.”
And during the same interview, Trump said he would “absolutely” consider it “a defeat” if he left the White House and the “Iran crazies” were still in power.
Trump has shown no recent signs he is in the mood to escalate the conflict and target another level of Iranian leaders. In the past, he has bemoaned taking out so many officials that it was now difficult to know who the US should talk to. The president told CBS’ “60 Minutes” on Sunday that he was “not looking” to escalate the war.
On Monday, Trump told reporters in the White House briefing room: “At this point, it won’t be necessary, taking the military action.”
This story has been updated with additional developments.
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