Egypt Daily News – On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran “must stop pursuing nuclear weapons,” or else it will face “harsh consequences,” which could include a military strike on its nuclear facilities.
When asked whether the potential response could involve targeting Iranian nuclear sites, Trump answered, “Definitely.” He continued, “Iran is very close to acquiring nuclear weapons, but I won’t allow that. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.” Trump added, “I might resort to strong actions to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.”
Trump also emphasized that “Iran could be a great country, but only if it doesn’t possess nuclear weapons.”
The U.S. president expressed his belief that Iran is deliberately delaying reaching a nuclear agreement with the United States. He told reporters after meeting U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Oman on Saturday, “I think they (Iran) are trying to waste time.”
Last Saturday, Iran and the United States held indirect talks in Oman’s capital, Muscat.
Both Iran and the United States, which have not had diplomatic relations since 1980, described the discussions as “constructive.” These talks took place after weeks of Trump sending a message to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, urging negotiations with a threat of military action if Tehran refused.
Another round of talks between Iran and the U.S. is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, in Rome, according to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei stated that the next round of discussions will also be indirect, with Omani mediation. He added that direct talks are “ineffective” and “useless.” In 2018, during Trump’s first term, the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reimposed harsh sanctions on Iran, which then began to scale back its commitments under the deal.
In a recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published in February, the agency estimated that Iran possesses 274.8 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, far exceeding the 3.67% limit set by the 2015 deal. This brings Iran closer to the 90% threshold needed for nuclear weapons production.
The IAEA also noted that Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching uranium to these levels while continuing to amass a significant stockpile of fissile materials.
Iran has consistently denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
