WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of a possible military strike on Iran’s nuclear facility located near Natanz, saying Tehran would be unable to prevent such an attack if it were carried out.
Speaking to reporters at the White House during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Trump made a series of remarks about Iran, its nuclear programme, and broader Middle East security.
Trump said a strike on the Iranian nuclear site in the mountains near Natanz could take place soon, adding that, in his view, Iran would not be able to stop such an operation.
The U.S. president also defended his decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement (JCPOA) negotiated during former President Barack Obama’s administration.
According to Trump, had the agreement remained in place, Iran would have eventually developed nuclear weapons, posing a serious threat to Israel and regional security.
He further claimed that previous U.S. military operations against Iranian nuclear facilities had significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities.
Trump asserted that if U.S. B-2 stealth bombers had not targeted Iranian nuclear sites, Iran would have been much closer to acquiring a nuclear weapon. These claims reflect the president’s remarks and have not been independently verified in the context of this statement.
The president also said the U.S. military had reduced Iran’s military capabilities to an extent that “few had imagined.”
Referring to regional developments, Trump acknowledged that Iran had caused some damage in Jordan, but suggested the outcome might have been different had what he called “other operators” played a greater role. He did not clarify whom he meant by that term.
On diplomacy, Trump claimed that Iran was eager to hold talks with the United States in an effort to end the conflict because it had suffered significant destruction.
“The United States has no desire to meet with the Iranians,” he said.
Responding to a question about domestic politics, Trump suggested that Iran’s reported threats regarding the Strait of Hormuz could be aimed at influencing the upcoming U.S. congressional elections in November and hurting the electoral prospects of him and the Republican Party.
He added that regardless of any political impact, his administration would continue to do what it believed was the right course of action.
Trump also said he did not believe the conflict involving Iran would have a significant effect on the outcome of the U.S. elections.
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes and has denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons. The latest remarks come amid continued regional tensions and heightened international concern over the future of Iran’s nuclear activities and security in the Middle East.
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