Trump issues fresh nuclear threat to Iran

The US president has warned Tehran that restarting uranium enrichment could trigger another round of airstrikes

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran’s nuclear sites could be bombed again if it resumes uranium enrichment. Tehran, which insists its nuclear program is peaceful, has pledged to rebuild facilities hit in last month’s US-Israeli strikes.

Israel carried out a series of strikes against Iran in June, claiming Tehran was nearing completion of a nuclear weapon – an accusation Israeli officials have made for decades. Despite IAEA and US intelligence having failed to find evidence that Iran was developing a nuclear weapon, the US joined the attack, targeting Iran’s facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The strikes reportedly caused serious damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and killed dozens, including nuclear scientists and military personnel.

Last week, speaking to Fox News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made clear that Iran would not abandon its nuclear program. He called enrichment an achievement of Iranian scientists and a matter of “national pride.”

Trump responded on Sunday, calling Iran’s stance “stupid” and threatened further strikes. “We wiped out their nuclear possibilities. They can start again. If they do, we’ll wipe it out faster than you can wave your finger at it,” he said.

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Iran has repeatedly said it is not seeking nuclear weapons. “We are ready to do any confidence-building measure needed to prove that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and would remain peaceful forever, and Iran would never go for nuclear weapons,” Araghchi said last week.

He also rejected claims that Iran seeks to destroy Israel or has plotted to assassinate Trump.

The US-Israeli bombing campaign was condemned internationally. The UN warned of grave regional consequences, and a number of countries pointed to the illegal nature of the attack.

Russia has similarly described the strikes as “unprovoked aggression” and a violation of international law. Moscow has advocated for a diplomatic approach to the issue of Iran’s nuclear program.