At a rally in Montana, former President Donald Trump addressed the topic of U.S. diplomatic efforts regarding Iran. Trump expressed doubt about the efficacy and necessity of these negotiations, stating, "I don’t know who the hell we’re negotiating with."

Trump justified his skepticism by characterizing the Iranian state as being in a position of extreme weakness. He claimed that the country lacks a functional navy and air force, and asserted that their army has been "decimated." Furthermore, he suggested that the country's leadership is effectively "gone."

This rhetoric reflects a broader stance often taken by the former president, emphasizing a "peace through strength" approach while dismissing the utility of diplomatic engagement with adversaries he deems to be in collapse. By framing the Iranian government as non-existent or incapacitated, Trump implied that the U.S. is engaging in a futile exercise. The comments highlight a fundamental disagreement between his administration's past "maximum pressure" policy and current or alternative diplomatic strategies. While Trump focused on the perceived lack of a viable counterpart, he did not provide specific details regarding which U.S. officials or specific diplomatic channels he was criticizing. The remarks serve as a critique of the current administration's foreign policy, suggesting that the U.S. should not be seeking dialogue with a regime he describes as having already been neutralized.