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

May 5, 2026 12:01 PM EDT

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

(Refiles, no change ‌to text)

By ​Steve ​Holland

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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