Washington: US President Donald Trump has once again intensified his rhetoric against Iran, declaring that Washington remains committed to preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and warning that the United States is prepared to act if diplomatic efforts fail.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said the US would prefer a negotiated settlement but insisted that all options remain available if Iran refuses to cooperate.
“We’ll either reach an agreement or we’ll complete the mission,” Trump said, adding that his administration’s priority is ensuring Iran never develops nuclear weapons.
The remarks come as Iran observes a period of national mourning following the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the opening phase of the recent conflict between Iran and the US-led coalition.
Trump maintained that diplomacy remains his preferred path, arguing that military escalation would only increase hardship for ordinary Iranians.
“I would rather see a deal than more suffering for millions of people,” he said, while asserting that the United States possesses the capability to strike critical infrastructure if required.
The US President also reiterated that any future agreement must guarantee the complete elimination of Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons, including the transfer or disposal of enriched nuclear material.
At the same time, Trump clarified that Washington is not seeking to overthrow Iran’s government, distancing his administration from any objective of regime change.
Despite a ceasefire reached after last month’s conflict, relations between Washington and Tehran remain strained. Trump recently drew attention after suggesting that senior Iranian leaders gathered during Khamenei’s funeral could have been targeted militarily, though he said such action was deliberately avoided to preserve ongoing diplomatic efforts.
His comments triggered a sharp reaction from Iran. Officials accused the US of disrespecting the country’s history and national sentiment, with Iranian representatives stating that America could not understand the public mourning witnessed across Iran because it lacked the country’s historical and cultural legacy.
While negotiations remain on hold during the funeral period, both sides continue to exchange strong public statements, underscoring the fragile nature of the current ceasefire and the uncertainty surrounding future nuclear talks.
