Trump: US ‘can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon,’ praises military actions

US President Donald Trump on Monday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, speaking at a small business summit at the White House. “We can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, adding that Iran “has no navy, they have no air force, they have no anti-aircraft equipment, they have no radar… they have no leaders. Actually … the leaders happen to be gone also, but can’t let them have a nuclear weapon.” His remarks came as US Navy guided-missile destroyers were operating in the Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in support of “Project Freedom,” an initiative to restore commercial navigation.

Military actions and economic impact

Trump defended US military actions in Iran as necessary to prevent the country from obtaining nuclear weapons. “We had to do this little excursion in Iran,” he said. “It was worth it to get rid of lunatics that would have nuclear weapons that can wipe out countries with the push of a button. It should’ve been done a long time ago, but I’m very proud to be doing it.” He also expressed confidence that gasoline prices, which have surged due to the war, will decline “very rapidly” once the conflict ends. Earlier Monday, Trump said the US military destroyed seven Iranian “small boats.”

Conflict background

Tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, prompting Iranian retaliation against Israel and US allies in the Gulf, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A Pakistan-mediated ceasefire took effect on April 8, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. The truce was later extended by Trump without a deadline.