Trump Says US Was Ready for Major Iran Attack Before Tehran Reached Out

Former US President Donald Trump joked about running for another term during a White House reporters' dinner on July 24, 2026. He addressed recent interactions with Iran, stating that while he prefers a diplomatic solution, the United States was prepared for a large-scale attack. Trump claimed the US was ready for the biggest military strike since World War II and had already prepared severe retaliatory measures in recent months. However, he said Iran contacted the US before any attack occurred, leading to ongoing talks. "We're talking, let's see what happens," Trump said, emphasizing his preference to avoid killing people but acknowledging that force might be necessary.

Trump also criticized Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate candidate from Michigan who recently won the primary. He accused El-Sayed of holding anti-Israel and anti-Jewish views and dismissed pre-election polls that predicted a decisive victory for him. Trump asserted that El-Sayed would lose in the general election, reinforcing his stance on Israel's importance.

These remarks highlight Trump's continued engagement with Middle East issues and his political positioning ahead of potential future elections. The situation with Iran remains tense but currently focused on diplomatic dialogue following the reported communications.