Trump Cabinet Meeting (Day 500): Iran 'Negotiating on Fumes,' Midterms Won't Change War Strategy; CENTCOM Shoots Down 4 Iranian Drones, Strikes Bandar Abbas Control Station

On June 3, 2026 (Day 500 / Iran War Day 95), Trump held a full Cabinet meeting at the White House where he declared Iran is 'negotiating on fumes' and stated that the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections will have 'no effect' on his Iran war strategy. Trump told reporters: 'They thought they were going to outwait me, you know, we'll outwait him, he's got the midterms. I don't care about the midterms.' He referenced the prior evening's six-state primary results (June 2) as a 'prelude to the midterms' and expressed confidence that his MAGA coalition remains energized. On the Iran deal, Trump said he expects progress 'very soon' but gave no timeline. Meanwhile, US Central Command confirmed new defensive strikes: US forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz and struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas. Hegseth stated the drone intercepts were 'below the escalation threshold' but demonstrated Iranian intent to continue pressure. Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi — who had formally suspended talks on June 2 — sent a signal through intermediaries that Tehran was reviewing the terms but 'has not walked away permanently.' Trump told reporters Iran 'really wants to make a deal.'