Trump says Iran "should wave the white flag of surrender"


U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event to sign a memorandum in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 5, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci

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WASHINGTON, May 5 (Reuters) - ⁠President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed Iran's ‌military capability and said Tehran "should wave the white flag of surrender" but is too proud to do so.

Trump ​told reporters in the Oval ⁠Office that Iran's ⁠military has been reduced to firing "peashooters" and that ⁠Tehran privately ‌wants to make a deal despite its public sabre-rattling.

"They play games, ⁠but let me just tell you, they ​want to ‌make a deal. And who wouldn't, when ⁠your military ​is totally gone?" he said.

Trump heaped praise on the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in ⁠the region. "It's like a piece ​of steel. Nobody's going to challenge the blockade. And I think it's working out very well," ⁠he said.

When asked what Iran would need to do to violate the ceasefire, Trump said: "Well, you'll find out, because I'll let you ​know ... They know what ⁠not to do."

Trump said Iran "should save the white ​flag of surrender."

"If this were ‌a fight, they'd stop ​it," said Trump.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Katharine Jackson; editing by Michelle Nichols)

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