President Donald Trump delivered a stern warning to Iran on Monday, cautioning the regime against attempts to rebuild its nuclear weapons program. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump underscored the United States' vigilance regarding Iran's nuclear activities and indicated readiness to authorize further military strikes if necessary.
Highlighting recent developments, Trump mentioned U.S. B-2 strategic bombers conducted strikes on three significant Iranian sites in June, targeting facilities integral to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile projects. "I’ve been reading that they’re building up weapons and other things, and if they are, they’re not using the sites we obliterated, but possibly different sites," Trump remarked to reporters. He asserted that U.S. intelligence possesses clear knowledge about Iran's current nuclear trajectory, stating, "We know exactly where they’re going, what they’re doing, and I hope they’re not doing it because we don’t want to waste fuel on a B-2." This statement conveys a readiness to repeat air strikes should Iran continue progressing in its nuclear ambitions at alternative sites.
The strikes in June, carried out with bunker-buster bombs on facilities located at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, reportedly delayed Iran's nuclear program by up to two years. However, some previous U.S. intelligence assessments had indicated a shorter postponement measured in months. Experts specializing in arms control caution that while military attacks disrupt infrastructure, they cannot eradicate Iran's extensive nuclear expertise entirely.
In response, Iran has conducted missile exercises and insisted on receiving unilateral guarantees from the United States to avoid additional assaults before resuming nuclear negotiations. Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and denies intentions to develop nuclear weapons.
Aside from discussions on Iran, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the delicate situation in Gaza, specifically focusing on advancing the ceasefire's next phase. This phase entails the disarmament of Hamas militants and the deployment of an international security force within the Gaza Strip, a development seen as essential for stabilizing the region.
Trump conveyed growing frustrations with what he perceives as stalling by Hamas in relinquishing weapons. He warned the militant group of severe consequences, expressing that if Hamas refuses to disarm, "there would be hell to pay" and that the outcomes would be "horrible" for the organization.
Israel has indicated a willingness to resume military operations should Hamas fail to comply with disarmament conditions. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution advocating for the establishment of an international force and a "Board of Peace," a proposal supported by the U.S. to oversee Gaza's transition after the ceasefire. This plan, however, continues to face resistance from Hamas and skepticism from former U.S. national security officials who question the feasibility of requiring full Hamas demilitarization, citing the ambiguity and potential impracticality of such terms.
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire remains fragile, with the success of the subsequent phase hinging on Hamas's cooperation and the international community's ability to enforce security measures effectively.
President Trump's remarks in Florida highlight the ongoing challenges in controlling nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and underscore the complexity of achieving lasting peace in Gaza. The situation remains tense, with significant risks on both fronts.