U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his position on Iran’s nuclear program, saying that he prefers a diplomatic resolution over military confrontation.
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Trump to determine fate of the Islamic Republic
(Photo: Iranian Leader's Press Office - HandoutGetty Images, AP, Shutterstock)
Trump’s comments come two weeks after he suggested it would be preferable to resolve the Iranian issue without Israeli military action against Tehran’s nuclear facilities. While he has not ruled out a military strike, he has repeatedly signaled his intent to pursue a new agreement. He also confirmed plans to speak with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Shortly before meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, Trump reinstated the "maximum pressure" sanctions campaign on Iran, designed to impose severe economic penalties on the Islamic Republic. He warned that Iran was "too close" to developing a nuclear weapon and said that if Tehran attempted to assassinate him in response, Iran would be "obliterated." He claimed to have left "instructions" to carry out such an action if necessary.
In a public meeting with Netanyahu, Trump described Iran as "strong, not weak," blaming the Biden administration for enabling Tehran’s resurgence. He argued that Iran was struggling when he left office, saying, "They had no money to pay Hamas and Hezbollah. Then they sold huge amounts of oil to China. They became rich very quickly."
Trump further asserted that Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, would not have occurred had he remained in office.
Trump and Netanyahu press conference
(Video: Reuters)
At a subsequent joint press conference with Netanyahu, where he unveiled his proposal to take control of Gaza and relocate its residents, Trump claimed his administration had brought peace and stability to the Middle East. "We withdrew from the nuclear agreement and imposed very harsh sanctions on the Iranian regime. We stopped Iran’s proxies and deprived them of resources," he said.
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While reaffirming his opposition to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Trump expressed hope for a peaceful resolution. "I want Iran to be peaceful and successful. I hated doing it. I did it once before. And we brought them down to a level where they were unable to give any money. They had to survive themselves. And they had no money. They were essentially broke," he said.
Trump warned Iran against pursuing nuclear weapons. "They cannot have a nuclear weapon. It’s very simple. I’m not putting restrictions. I’m not. They cannot have one thing. They cannot have a nuclear weapon. And if I think that they will have a nuclear weapon, despite what I just said, I think that’s going to be very unfortunate for them."
Iranian officials strongly condemned Trump’s renewed sanctions and rhetoric. The Iranian Foreign Ministry denounced the move as "illegitimate and illegal," warning that the U.S. "is responsible for the consequences of such unilateral and bullying actions."
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei responded with a direct threat. "If they threaten our security, we threaten theirs. If they harm the security of the Iranian people, we will undoubtedly harm their security," Khamenei said in a speech in Tehran on Friday.