Trump rules out ceasefire, but says Israel will agree to end war when he’s ready

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US President Donald Trump speaks to journalists before boarding Marine One as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2026 for his Mar-a-Lago residence, where he will spend the weekend. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)
US President Donald Trump speaks to journalists before boarding Marine One as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2026 for his Mar-a-Lago residence, where he will spend the weekend. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

US President Donald Trump says he’s not currently interested in a ceasefire with Iran.

“We can have dialogue, but I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You don’t do a cease fire when you’re literally obliterating the other side,” Trump tells reporters outside the White House.

Asked if Israel will agree to end the war when the US decides to do so, Trump responds, “I think so, yeah.”

“The relationship is a very good one. We want more or less similar things. You know what we want? We want victory — both of us — and that’s what we’ve got,” Trump says.

He says countries like South Korea, Japan and China will “have to” help secure the Strait of Hormuz amid Iran’s efforts to block the channel.

Trump declines to comment on reports that he’s weighing a takeover of Iran’s Kharg Island in the hope that it’ll coax Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

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