As tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions once again take center stage, former U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a stern message, cautioning Tehran against the continued pursuit of nuclear weapons. Speaking from the White House during a meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, Trump emphasized the urgency for Iran to abandon what he described as the “concept of a nuclear weapon.”
The statement came just days after American and Iranian officials met in Muscat, Oman, in what were described by both sides as “constructive” and “positive” discussions. A second round of talks is expected this coming Saturday. Despite the seemingly hopeful tone from negotiators, Trump expressed skepticism about Iran’s intentions, implying that Tehran may be deliberately stalling. “Iran wants to deal with us, but they don’t know how. They’re tapping us along,” he remarked.
Trump didn’t shy away from the possibility of military action. When asked if a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities was on the table, his answer was unambiguous: “Of course it does.” He warned that Iran was drawing dangerously close to achieving nuclear capability, and insisted that the U.S. would not hesitate to take “something very harsh” into consideration if diplomacy failed.
The Iranian government maintains that its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes. However, international experts have raised concerns, stating that the level of uranium enrichment suggests the potential to develop one nuclear bomb per month. Such assessments have only deepened global anxieties and fueled calls for timely intervention.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Trump’s firmness over the weekend, stating that the military was prepared to “go deep and go big” if a diplomatic resolution could not be reached. Trump also mentioned that any possible military action could involve close cooperation with Israel, a longtime ally and vocal opponent of Iran’s nuclear program.
As the world watches closely, the renewed efforts at dialogue are a small glimmer of hope amid rising apprehension. The stakes are high, and the road ahead uncertain. Trump’s latest comments, while uncompromising, serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between diplomacy and deterrence, and the shared global responsibility to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.