Trump says Iran wants to 'settle so badly' amid strikes

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is eager to negotiate an end to the ongoing confrontation with the United States, warning that Washington could continue its military campaign if Tehran fails to reach an agreement. Speaking at a Defense and Innovation Summit in Pennsylvania, he claimed that Iranian leaders are seeking to end the conflict, stating: "They want to settle so badly. They don't like what we're doing, and they do want to settle. We'll find out whether or not we settle with them, or we just finish it off."

Military escalation continues

The US military's Central Command announced that it launched a second wave of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday, continuing the offensive that began in late February when Washington and Tel Aviv initiated attacks against Tehran. "We'll have Iran defeated soon. They'll be defeated very soon," Trump said, referring to the CENTCOM operations, as exchanges of hostilities persisted despite a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.

Defense production boost

Trump used the summit to announce nearly $10 billion in new investments in the defense industrial base in Pennsylvania, telling the audience that the US needs "a little more speed" on defense production despite having "the best quality in the world." The investments are expected to create more than 4,000 jobs, with the president stating that Pennsylvania workers will build ships, submarines, trucks and weapons for the Pentagon as the administration seeks to expand domestic manufacturing capacity.