U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he had urged American defense companies to create affordable drones similar to those made by Iran, which he described as fast, lethal, and inexpensive.
Speaking in Doha, Qatar, before heading to the United Arab Emirates on the final leg of his Middle East tour, Trump said he was shocked by the high price tag of American-made drones.
“I said to one of the defense companies, ‘I need a lot of drones. You know, Iran makes good drones for $35,000 to $40,000,’” Trump recalled. “Two weeks later, they came to me with a drone that cost $41 million. I said, ‘That’s not what I meant. I want something cheap enough to fly by the thousands.’”
Iran has made rapid progress in drone technology in recent years. Its drones are known for their low cost, long-range strike capabilities, and high accuracy, contributing to Iran’s growing military influence in West Asia.
Iran’s military has developed a wide range of domestic defense equipment to reduce its reliance on imports, especially under long-standing U.S. sanctions. Iranian leaders have repeatedly said they will continue to build up their military strength, especially missile and drone power, for defense purposes only and that these capabilities are not open to negotiation.
During his speech in Doha, Trump also suggested that a nuclear deal with Iran could soon be reached, potentially avoiding military conflict.
“I think we’re getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this,” Trump said, referring to military action. He added, “You probably read today the story about Iran. It’s sort of agreed to the terms,” though he did not clarify what terms he meant.
Trump’s tone in Doha appeared softer than his earlier remarks in Saudi Arabia, where he called Iran the “most destructive force” in the region. He accused Tehran of destabilizing West Asia and vowed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons—something Iran denies pursuing.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded strongly to Trump’s accusations, saying Iran would never give in to threats and pressure. Speaking on Thursday, he criticized U.S. policies in the region, saying, “Trump thinks that he can sanction us, threaten us, and then sit back and talk about human rights. All the crimes in the region are because of these policies and these individuals.”
“We seek peace, not war,” Pezeshkian added. “We have always wanted to live in peace and mutual respect, both at home and with our neighbors.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had not received any formal proposal from the U.S., but expressed a willingness to build trust.
“We are ready to build trust and transparency about our nuclear program in response to the lifting of sanctions,” Araghchi said.
On Wednesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement rejecting Trump’s remarks, calling them “false, divisive, and misleading.” The ministry said the U.S. president was trying to distort regional realities and shift blame onto Iran.
