U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his warning to Iran over its nuclear ambitions, stating that military action, including strikes on nuclear facilities, remains on the table if Tehran does not abandon its nuclear program.
Speaking during a meeting at the White House with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, Trump said, “They cannot possess a nuclear weapon, and they’re getting close. They need to stop — quickly. If harsh action is necessary, we’ll take it. This isn’t just about us. It’s about the world. These are radicalized people who must not be allowed to obtain nuclear arms.”
Pressed by a reporter on whether this could mean targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, Trump responded, “Of course it does.”
The United States, along with several Western allies and Israel, has long maintained a firm stance against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. In 2018, during his first term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal—which had aimed to curtail Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. Iran responded by scaling back its compliance with the agreement.
Despite years of tension, talks between the U.S. and Iran have recently resumed, with Oman mediating efforts to establish a new nuclear accord. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place this Saturday in Rome.
Trump confirmed the meeting and expressed optimism, calling the situation with Iran “almost an easy problem” to resolve.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, announced on Monday that he will travel to Tehran this week to support diplomatic efforts. According to Iranian media, Grossi is expected to arrive in the Iranian capital on Wednesday.
“Continued engagement and cooperation with the agency is essential at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed,” Grossi posted on X (formerly Twitter).