U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his warning to Iran over its advancing nuclear programme, stating that he would not hesitate to take “very harsh” action including a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities if Tehran moves closer to acquiring a nuclear weapon.
During a meeting at the White House with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Trump declared, “They can’t have a nuclear weapon, and they got to go fast, because they’re fairly close to having one, and they’re not going to have one.”
“If we have to do something very harsh, we’ll do it. And I’m not doing it for us. I’m doing it for the world.” He added.
When asked by a reporter whether this included a direct attack on Iran’s nuclear sites, Trump responded bluntly: “Of course it does.”
The remarks come amid renewed diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran to revive nuclear negotiations that collapsed after Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Vienna nuclear deal in 2018.
That agreement had sought to curb Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. In response to the U.S. withdrawal, Iran also began stepping back from its commitments under the pact.
Following years of deadlock, talks resumed last Saturday with Oman serving as a mediator.
A second round is expected to be held in Rome this coming Saturday. Trump voiced optimism about resolving the issue, calling it “almost an easy” problem.
Meanwhile, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, chief Rafael Grossi announced plans to visit Tehran this week. “Continued engagement and cooperation with the agency is essential at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed,” Grossi posted on X on Monday.
Grossi’s visit aims to address growing international concerns over Iran’s limited cooperation with IAEA inspectors and its enrichment of uranium to near weapons-grade levels.
The escalating tensions underscore the fragile state of nuclear diplomacy, even as global powers push for renewed dialogue to prevent further proliferation in the region.
