U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday blamed Iran for intentionally delaying progress in a nuclear agreement with the United States and threatened Tehran with further action if it continues its nuclear activities, leaving open the possibility of a military strike.
In spite of what were termed "positive" and "constructive" U.S.-Iranian talks between officials in Oman last week, Trump expressed doubt about Iran's motives. Another round of negotiation is planned for Saturday.
Addressing at the White House at a meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, Trump reiterated that Iran needs to drop the notion of becoming a nuclear state. "Iran has to eliminate the notion of a nuclear weapon. They cannot have a nuclear weapon," he stated.
Pressed directly on whether the U.S. could respond with a military attack on Iran's nuclear sites, Trump replied, "Of course it does," affirming that this too is an option that has not been ruled out.
Trump asserted that Iran was on the verge of acquiring nuclear capability and cautioned that any postponement in striking a deal would invite a vigorous U.S. reaction. "They need to move fast," he said.
He further added that Iran seems to be keen on coming to an agreement but has no sense of direction in negotiations. "Iran would like to deal with us, but they don't know how. They don't know how," he said. "We met with them last Saturday. We have another meeting set for next Saturday. That's a long way off. So, I believe that they may be feeling us out."
Trump avoided endorsing judgements made by negotiators who deemed the Muscat meeting fruitful, instead insisting Iran could not be allowed to gain a nuclear weapon and warning that the U.S. would do "something very harsh" if it became necessary.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful but experts claim it is enriching uranium to levels that would enable the country to make one nuclear bomb per month.
And separately, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed the administration's hardline tone on Sunday when he said that the military is ready "to go deep and to go big" if diplomacy collapsed in managing Iran's nuclear program. Earlier, Trump said military action was "absolutely" an option if the talks with Oman derailed or broke down, perhaps with assistance from Israel.
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