NBC News, citing the Foreign Minister of Iran : We have achieved nuclear technology within our capabilities, and we can rebuild what was destroyed. - First Squawk

NBC News, citing the Foreign Minister of Iran : We have achieved nuclear technology within our capabilities, and we can rebuild what was destroyed. - First Squawk

President Donald Trump has publicly contradicted Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's statement that Iran is not currently assembling a nuclear weapon. Trump has expressed skepticism about halting Israeli strikes to enable diplomacy, hinting that Iran is nearing weapons-grade nuclear readiness. This comes amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, with the U.S. president considering direct military action within the next two weeks [1].

Gabbard, who had earlier stated that U.S. intelligence agencies believed Iran was not pursuing nuclear weapons, clarified her remarks, affirming alignment with Trump's stance that Iran poses a serious and imminent threat. However, Trump's response underscored a shift from his earlier "America First" policy, which focused on disengagement from overseas conflicts [1].

The White House has reiterated that Trump will decide within two weeks whether to directly engage U.S. forces. The Fordo uranium enrichment facility, a potential target for U.S. strikes, has become a flashpoint in this calculus. Intelligence officials have long regarded it as immune to conventional airstrikes, potentially requiring specialized munitions [1].

Trump's assessment reflects a stark shift from his earlier stance, drawing domestic political scrutiny. Some conservatives have raised concerns that escalating toward military engagement contradicts Trump's anti-interventionist promises from his first campaign. Trump addressed these criticisms, noting that the situation with Iran is different from the Iraq War and that Iran's nuclear program is material and ongoing [1].

Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has stated that the U.S. has asked Iran to negotiate for a deal, but Tehran has refused. Araghchi also indicated that the U.S. is already involved in Israeli strikes, and Iran is not prepared for talks while Israeli strikes continue [2].

The stakes are high. A decision by Trump to authorize a U.S. strike would represent a significant escalation, drawing American forces directly into a conflict many hoped to contain. It could also place the U.S. at odds with global allies urging restraint and inflame tensions with regional powers like Russia and China. Conversely, if Iran proceeds to weaponize its nuclear materials, it could undermine America's deterrence credibility and trigger a new nuclear arms race in the region [1].

As the world waits for Trump's decision, the debate is no longer whether Iran poses a threat, but how far the United States under President Donald Trump is willing to go to stop it.

References:
[1] https://www.newslooks.com/trump-disagrees-with-gabbard-on-iran-nuclear-threat/
[2] https://www.news18.com/world/iran-israel-conflict-nuclear-talks-donald-trump-airstrikes-deaths-injuries-latest-updates-9395114.html