Trump expects US to make 'great deal' with Iran - CNBC

21st Apr 2026 14:33

(Sharecast News) - Donald Trump told CNBC on Tuesday that he expects the US to end up making a "great deal" with Iran.

The comments were made in an interview with Squawk Box, during which the US president was asked what he expects to materialise from a second round of talks with Tehran.

"I think they have no choice," he said. "We've taken out their Navy, we've taken out their Air Force.

"We've taken out their leaders, frankly, which does complicate things in one way, but these leaders are much more rational.

"It is regime change, no matter what you want to call it, which is not something I said I was going to do, but I've done it indirectly maybe but I've done it."

Asked whether he would extend the ceasefire if talks between the two sides progress well, Trump said: "Well, I don't want to do that."

Trump said Iran could "make themselves into a very strong nation again" but they "seem to be bloodthirsty" and are led by "some very very unfortunately tough people".

"And I don't mean tough in a good way. I think it's very negative for the country because we're much tougher than they are.

"But they have to use reason and they have to use common sense and they can get themselves into a great position to make themselves into a great country but a legitimate country not a country based on death and horror."

Trump had already told Bloomberg he would "not be rushed into making a bad deal".

"We've got all the time in the world," he said, adding that an extension of the current truce was "highly unlikely".

Earlier, Iran confirmed it will be sending representatives to Islamabad for talks with US vice president JD Vance.