Donald Trump signals firm military posture on Iran, says talks with Cuba are underway

Former President Donald Trump told reporters that while Iran’s supreme leader warned a U.S. attack could spark a regional war, such a warning was "predictable" and the United States has a strong military presence nearby.

"We have the biggest, most powerful ships in the world over there," Trump said when asked about the Iranian remark, adding, "hopefully, we'll make a deal. We don't make a deal, then we'll find out whether or not he was right." The comment followed a question asking for a response to the supreme leader's statement.

On Cuba, Trump characterized the island as a "failing nation" that had lost Venezuelan support. He said U.S. officials were "talking to the people from Cuba, the highest people in Cuba to see what happens," and that he wanted those who had been "horribly treated by Cuba" to be "taken care of" and able to see family there again. "I think we're gonna make a deal with Cuba," Trump added.

The exchange was brief and largely declarative; reporters posed the initial questions, and Trump provided short answers without laying out a formal policy or citing a statute or specific diplomatic channel. The press exchange ended shortly afterward when Trump departed for a scheduled wedding.

Next steps were not specified in the exchange: Trump described ongoing conversations with Cuban officials and defended the U.S. military posture in the region but did not announce new measures, timetables, or the involvement of particular departments or international partners.