Trump threatens Iran war 'if we don't get 100% of what we want'

War threat over diplomatic demands

US President Donald Trump told French news channel LCI on Saturday that he is prepared to resume a full-scale war against Iran should Washington fail to achieve its complete objectives in ongoing negotiations, sharpening his rhetoric amid reports of a tactical pause in military operations. Speaking by telephone to the broadcaster, Trump stated: "if we don't get 100% of what we want, absolutely," when asked whether he would authorize renewed large-scale hostilities against the Islamic Republic.

Pentagon ordered to pause strikes

According to a report by Axios, Trump directed the US military not to launch new strikes on Iran on Friday, ending a 13-day stretch of daily attacks that had characterized the recent confrontation between Washington and Tehran. The decision to withhold authorization for Friday's planned operations leaves unclear whether the pause represents a temporary tactical adjustment or signals a broader strategic shift, sources told the outlet.

Trade threats against European allies

Trump also addressed transatlantic relations during the interview, telling reporters that European allies should consider themselves fortunate to have his administration's friendship. "They're lucky they have me as their friend," Trump said, declining to elaborate when asked whether he plans to impose additional tariffs on the European Union. "I don't want to comment on that. Thank you very much," he added.

The comments followed a Friday post on Truth Social in which Trump accused the bloc of unfairly targeting American technology companies through multibillion-dollar fines imposed on Apple, Meta, Amazon and Google. "The European Union will pay a very big price for this illegal and highly unethical conduct," he wrote, adding that the penalties "will be entirely reversed" and that his administration expects to impose "a substantial TARIFF" on the bloc "at the earliest possible moment."