By Fatima Saka
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has issued a stark warning to Iran, claiming the country could be “taken out once” amid escalating tensions involving the United States and Israel, while reiterating his hardline stance on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
In a live press briefing in Washington on e, Trump made the assertion while responding to reporters’ questions, stating: “The country can be taken out once, pure and simple.”
He also suggested that Iran faces a narrow window for diplomatic response, referencing a 24-hour ultimatum tied to ongoing security considerations.
Trump used the briefing to defend his past foreign policy decisions, arguing that previous administrations had made strategic errors in dealing with Iran. He said: “He chose Iran, a very hostile Iran… it was a road to a nuclear weapon.” He also criticised the 2015 nuclear agreement, insisting: “Countries don’t do 10-year deals. Countries do hundreds of years.”
Reiterating his justification for withdrawing from the agreement, Trump stated: “I terminated it before it expired… it was one of the best things we ever did because he would have had a nuclear weapon.” He further claimed that military action had already weakened Iran’s capabilities, saying: “If we didn’t do that, Iran would have had a nuclear weapon.”
The former president also referenced past military operations against Iranian targets, including the killing of Qasem Soleimani, whom he described as “an evil genius.” He said: “Had he lived, I believe we would be fighting perhaps a different Iran right now.”
Trump extended his remarks to regional implications, arguing that Israel and other U.S. allies in the Middle East would have faced existential threats if Iran had acquired nuclear weapons. He said: “Israel would have been extinguished… large portions of the Middle East would have been extinguished.”
On diplomacy, he maintained that negotiations were still possible but dependent on Iran’s response, stating: “We have an active, willing participant on the other side… they would like to be able to make a deal.” However, he declined to clarify whether a ceasefire framework was being considered.
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He also addressed questions on military escalation, telling reporters: “I can’t tell you… it depends what they do. This is a critical period.” Trump added that decisions would hinge on Iran’s actions in the coming hours, reinforcing his earlier reference to a short deadline.
His remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tension between Washington, Tehran, and regional allies, with analysts warning that the rhetoric could further strain already fragile diplomatic channels.
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