US President Donald Trump said his administration intends to finish the war in Iran before turning its attention to Cuba, suggesting a shift in US foreign policy priorities once the conflict in the Middle East concludes.
Speaking at the White House during an event celebrating the Major League Soccer champions Inter Miami CF, Trump said resolving the conflict with Iran remains the immediate focus.
“We want to finish this one first,” Trump said, referring to the war with Iran. “But that will be just a question of time before you and a lot of unbelievable people are going to be going back to Cuba.”
The president suggested Havana is eager to negotiate with Washington.
“Cuba wants to make a deal so badly,” he said, adding that many Cuban Americans would eventually return to the island. “We want you back, and we don’t want to lose you.”
TRUMP BOASTS OF PROGRESS IN IRAN WAR
Trump used the event to offer an upbeat assessment of the ongoing conflict with Iran, claiming US and Israeli forces were making rapid progress.
“The United States military, together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continues to totally demolish the enemy, far ahead of schedule,” Trump said.
He also claimed Iran’s military capabilities had been heavily degraded.
“They have no air force, they have no air defense,” Trump said, adding that Iran’s navy had been destroyed and that the US had wiped out “24 ships in three days.”
The President provided few details about the operations, and the claims could not immediately be independently verified.
IRAN READY TO MAKE A DEAL, TRUMP CLAIMS
Trump also suggested that Iranian leaders are now seeking negotiations to end the war.
“They’re calling, they’re saying, ‘How do we make a deal?’” Trump said. “I said, ‘You’re being a little bit late, and we want to fight now more than they do.’”
At the same time, he urged Iranian diplomats to help reshape their country’s political future.
Trump said those who cooperate could “help us shape a new and better Iran with great potential,” while warning that continued conflict could bring severe consequences.
OIL CONCERNS AND NEXT STEPS
The president said global oil markets had largely stabilised despite the conflict, though he acknowledged the war had forced a temporary shift in U.S. priorities.
“The oil seems to have pretty much stabilised,” Trump said. “We had it very low, but I had to take this little detour.”
Trump also signalled that further measures aimed at easing pressure on energy markets could be announced soon.
For now, however, the White House says the focus remains on the conflict in Iran — with Trump suggesting that once that fight ends, U.S. attention could quickly shift to Cuba.
