US President Donald Trump has renewed his threats of a devastating military strike against Iran, warning that Washington could launch a major attack despite his stated desire to save lives.
Speaking at a rally in Iowa and in an interview with the New York Post, Trump discussed Iran’s nuclear programme, previous US military operations, oil prices and his plans for the remainder of his presidency.
Trump said US military operations against Iran were not necessarily over, explaining that he had so far exercised restraint because he wanted to avoid further casualties.
“We want to save human lives in Iran,” he said, while warning that circumstances could eventually make a severe military strike unavoidable.
The president claimed that Tehran still did not fully understand the damage caused by previous American attacks. He said most of Iran’s capabilities had been neutralised but warned that Washington might still have to deliver a “crushing blow” against the country.
“We cannot allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons,” Trump reiterated, adding that any war with Tehran would end very quickly.
He also confirmed having a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the two leaders discussed the situation involving Iran.
Pakistan Warns Afghan Taliban Against Testing Its Military Capabilities
Trump further claimed that he was looking for someone in Tehran who could engage in negotiations. However, he remarked that no one appeared willing to take on the responsibilities of the Iranian presidency.
Trump Claims US Strikes Destroyed Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities
Reiterating his opposition to Iran’s nuclear programme, Trump claimed that American military operations had destroyed the country’s uranium enrichment capabilities.
He referred to Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury, claiming that US forces had targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure during the operations. He also mentioned the use of B-2 bombers in strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Trump again criticised the nuclear agreement with Iran, describing it as an extremely bad deal. He argued that Tehran would have acquired nuclear weapons if he had not withdrawn from the agreement.
“If I hadn’t withdrawn from the nuclear deal, Iran would possess nuclear weapons,” he asserted.
The president also dismissed concerns about the economic consequences of further military action, saying higher oil prices would represent a small price to pay for global security.
In another comparison, Trump claimed that the benefits the United States had gained from Venezuela were ten times greater than the cost of a war with Iran.
Trump Plans ‘Mr Veto’ Strategy if Democrats Win Midterms
In his New York Post interview, Trump discussed how he would respond if Democrats won the upcoming midterm elections and gained control of Congress.
He said he would have to become “Mr. Veto”, signalling that he would use his presidential powers to block legislation proposed by Democrats.
“I will not let the Democrats ruin the country’s affairs,” Trump said, adding that he would continue vetoing bills as Democrats sent them to his desk.
He predicted that after a month or two, Democrats would realise their efforts were going nowhere and eventually approach Republicans for negotiations.
Trump also warned that a complete Democratic victory could, in his view, permanently damage the country.
He claimed Democrats could seek to make Puerto Rico and Washington, DC, the 51st and 52nd US states, arguing that the move would strengthen their electoral position and make it harder for Republicans to win the presidency.
Trump said he could block such efforts through his veto powers and would repeatedly reject legislation if Republicans lost control of Congress.
“If we do not win, I will veto everything; I will continue to veto continuously,” he said.
He added that Democrats would eventually have to negotiate, potentially creating opportunities for compromises, although he acknowledged that any agreement might not meet all his expectations.
Trump Says He Would Seek Another Term if Allowed
During the interview, Trump also addressed the possibility of seeking another presidential term. He said he would run again if given the opportunity but acknowledged that the US Constitution does not allow him to do so.
“I still have more than two years left,” Trump said, referring to the time remaining in his current presidential term.
In separate remarks, Trump made a bold claim about the US war in Afghanistan, saying he could have secured victory within a week.
“I could have won the war in Afghanistan in a single week,” he said, adding that he could have achieved the outcome in a very short period.
Trump also discussed espionage involving China and Russia, acknowledging that the United States conducts intelligence operations against both countries.
Recalling a conversation in which someone told him that China was spying on the United States, Trump said he responded that Washington was also gathering intelligence on Beijing.
“Yes, and we are spying on them too. Don’t worry about that,” he recalled saying.
Trump’s remarks covered both the possibility of renewed military action against Iran and his approach to a potential Democratic takeover of Congress, highlighting the foreign policy and domestic political issues shaping the remainder of his presidency.
