United States President Donald Trump denied being "desperate" to make a deal with Iran, as he mixed threats with diplomacy in a seeming push to wrap up the war in the Middle East.Holding his first cabinet meeting since the joint US-Israeli operation on 28 February that started the latest round of hostilities, Trump insisted that Iran was being "beat to sh-t" and was "begging" for a deal, despite the Islamic Republic's refutation of these claims.However, Trump rejected reports that he was looking for an exit ramp, as oil prices soared and political pressure mounted on him to avoid the kind of drawn-out Middle East war he once spurned."I read a story today that I'm desperate to make a deal," Trump told reporters on Thursday Iran, however, has continued to say there are no direct negotiations.He also lashed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other allies, singling out Australia, for rejecting his appeals to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, saying he was "a little surprised by Australia".During the 90-minute televised meeting at the White House, Trump veered between repeated threats to "obliterate" Iran and claims it was on the verge of capitulating."They want to make a deal