Trump rules out nuclear weapon use against Iran, citing conventional victory

US President Donald Trump on Thursday firmly ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran amid the stalled US-Israeli war, stating that such weapons should never be employed in any conflict. Responding to a reporter’s question about using a “doomsday weapon,” Trump said: “Why do I need it? Why would a stupid question like that be asked? Why would I use a nuclear weapon when we've totally, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it?” He added: “No, I wouldn't use it. A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody.”

Ceasefire extension and Iranian turmoil

Asked about his decision to extend the ongoing ceasefire with Iran despite a diplomatic impasse, Trump said he wanted to “give them a little chance to get some of their turmoil resolved.” He claimed that “they want to make a deal. We have been speaking to them, but they don't even know who is leading the country. They're in turmoil.” In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected Trump’s assertions, writing on X: “There are no hardliners or moderates in Iran. We are all Iranians and revolutionaries.” He stressed that “there is a solid unity like steel between the people and the state” and vowed that Tehran would make “the aggressor regret its actions.”

Economic impact and regional concerns

Asked how long Americans should expect higher gas prices caused by the war, Trump replied “for a little while,” adding: “And you know what they get for that? Iran without a nuclear weapon that's going to try and blow up one of our cities or blow up the entire Middle East.”