Trump says he would prefer a deal with Iran to further military action

Trump says he would prefer a deal with Iran to further military action US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Washington is holding talks with Tehran and would prefer an agreement over further military action against Iran.

Speaking in Las Vegas, Trump said the US had been preparing to launch what he described as “the biggest attack since World War II before Iranian officials asked for negotiations.

“I would rather make a deal with Iran because I don’t want to kill people,” he added, while reaffirming his commitment to ensuring Tehran would not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

This comes after Iran’s deputy foreign minister said that Iran has not been holding talks with the US over recent days.

US President Donald Trump at an event at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada on 5 August 2026 (Chip Somodevilla/AFP)