Trump Demands Iran Abandon Nuclear Program, Warns of 'Thunderous Strike'

U.S. President Donald Trump has clarified his stance on the Iranian nuclear issue, asserting that his administration is not seeking a ceasefire but rather a "comprehensive solution" that involves Iran completely abandoning its nuclear program. Trump made these remarks during his return flight to Washington D.C. from the G7 summit in Canada, where he departed earlier than scheduled.

Trump emphasized that his goal is to "completely end" the Iranian nuclear issue, rather than merely achieving a temporary halt in hostilities. He explained that a "comprehensive solution" means Iran must "completely abandon" its nuclear weapons program. When questioned about the possibility of sending U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Vitekof or Vice President JD Vance to negotiate with Iran, Trump responded ambiguously, stating that it would depend on the situation upon his return to the U.S. He also asserted that Iran is "very close" to possessing nuclear weapons, contradicting the March testimony of National Intelligence Director Tasi Gabard, who stated that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons.

The president issued a stern warning to Iran, stating that any harm to U.S. military personnel would result in a "thunderous strike." He indicated that Israel's attacks on Iran would continue, with no signs of slowing down in the next two days. Trump expressed hope that Iran's nuclear program would be "completely destroyed" before any potential U.S. intervention. Regarding calls for residents of Tehran to evacuate, Trump explained that this measure is intended to ensure the safety of civilians.

The intricate nature of the Middle East conflict, which involves religious, ethnic, and territorial disputes, makes it unrealistic to expect a resolution through a few rounds of negotiations. The long-standing tensions between Iran and Israel, rooted in multiple layers of issues, cannot be easily resolved through simple commercial negotiations. Israel firmly opposes any nuclear activities by Iran, aiming to suppress any draft agreements that might be seen as overly concessive before a final deal is reached. Trump had previously stated that if an agreement cannot be reached within two months, the U.S. would take action against Iran.