Trump Reaffirms Iran Nuclear Stance Amid Diplomacy Speculation; Paxton Wins Texas GOP Runoff

President Donald Trump stated he is “not in any rush” to end the conflict with Iran, reaffirming his administration’s firm position on preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons during a cabinet meeting focused on the issue.

“The primary urgency is that we can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” President Trump said, adding that the United States possesses “a tremendous amount of oil, gas, coal” to mitigate economic pressures.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the administration’s stance: “Iran and these people in charge of Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, and they will never have a nuclear weapon, and they most certainly will not have one as long as you’re president of the United States.” Rubio noted diplomatic efforts are progressing, though questions remain regarding Iran’s future nuclear activities.

Iranian state TV reported details of a possible memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, suggesting terms could include U.S. military withdrawal from the region and lifting a naval blockade. The White House dismissed these reports as “not true and a complete fabrication.” The timeline for any potential agreement remains unclear.

Political analysts noted the cabinet meeting signals President Trump faces mounting international and domestic pressure. Recent polling indicates growing public demand to withdraw from the conflict, though experts caution this does not necessarily indicate a shift toward increased diplomacy.

Texas Primary Shifts GOP Landscape

In domestic politics, President Trump celebrated a significant primary victory in Texas, where Attorney General Ken Paxton, backed by a last-minute presidential endorsement, defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the GOP runoff.

“President Trump is the leader of our party and his endorsement in this most powerful [race] is the most powerful force in politics,” Paxton said. “We have a movement the likes of which this country has never seen.”

President Trump endorsed Paxton over Cornyn, citing the senator’s initial hesitation to support his presidential campaign. Cornyn acknowledged the outcome: “I trust the voters of Texas and they’ve made their decision and I must respect it.” His defeat adds to a growing list of Republican incumbents who have lost seats after opposing the president.

Political observers noted that Trump’s supporters currently form the core of the Republican electorate. However, Paxton faces notable controversies heading into the general election: he was impeached in 2023 on bribery and corruption charges before being acquitted by the Texas Senate, and his wife announced a divorce last year citing biblical grounds.

Democratic candidate James Telerico sees opportunity in these circumstances. “Telerico is talking to people about their real needs. We are going to win Texas,” a campaign representative stated.

As of mid-2026, no candidate endorsed by President Trump has lost a primary election.