Trump Issues New Threat Against Iran Nuclear Plans

By Amir Daftari

President Donald Trump escalated his warnings to Tehran, declaring that the United States would strike any new Iranian nuclear site if the country attempted to restart its program without an agreement.

“But if they do want to come back, and they want to come back without a deal, then we're going to obliterate that one, too,” he said.

Trump told reporters in the White House on Thursday, that Iran’s nuclear capacity was wiped out by the June attacks carried out by U.S. and Israeli forces and insisted Tehran could have avoided the destruction by accepting a deal earlier.

Newsweek has contacted the State Department and Iran's Foreign Ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

Trump’s comments come as diplomacy between Washington and Tehran remains stalled after the 12-day June war targeting three Iranian nuclear sites, with U.S. support alongside Israeli strikes.

The United States says the attacks crippled Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, destroying key enrichment facilities and slowing its ability to produce fissile material.

Tehran continues to reject U.S. demands on uranium enrichment and missile development while insisting it has never sought nuclear weapons.

The standoff leaves the region vulnerable to renewed escalation, as both sides remain entrenched and no new negotiations have been scheduled. The combination of halted diplomacy and lingering military tensions keeps the threat of further conflict high.

What to Know

Trump insisted that Iran could have prevented the June strikes by accepting a nuclear agreement sooner, saying,: “Forget about the nuclear. The nuclear is gone. But look at the damage they've suffered, the death that they've suffered. They could have had a deal where nobody would have died.”

Trump also said that U.S. assessments showed Iran’s nuclear facilities were rendered unusable. He said analysts believed Iran would require entirely new sites and an extended rebuilding period to restart the program.

As he described this assessment, he reiterated: “They missed that opportunity. But they would like to make a deal right now.” His repetition highlighted his argument that Tehran now recognizes the severity of its losses and is seeking reentry into negotiations under far weaker conditions.

Breakout Timeline

Before the June attacks, Trump said Iran was nearing a nuclear breakout within months—or possibly weeks. While he acknowledged uncertainty around the exact estimates, he emphasized that intelligence assessments suggested an urgent threat that justified immediate military action. The administration viewed the situation as deteriorating rapidly and requiring decisive intervention.

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei listens to a speaker...Read More | Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP Photo

Khamenei Rejects War Fears

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dismissed speculation about renewed conflict as “enemy propaganda,” framing the confrontation as primarily informational and “spiritual.”

He emphasized that external powers could not pressure Iran through military force or coercion, portraying the country as resilient and united.

His remarks aimed to project stability and reject suggestions that Iran was preparing for another clash with the U.S. or Israel, while highlighting what he described as a broader struggle over influence, ideology, and perception in the region.

Diplomacy Remains Stalled

Despite Trump’s insistence that Iran now wants a deal, neither side has taken substantive steps toward resuming negotiations.

Tehran continues to reject U.S. conditions surrounding enrichment limits, missile development and regional alliances. As both nations remain entrenched, prospects for renewed diplomacy remain uncertain.

What People Are Saying

U.S. President Donald Trump said: “Forget about the nuclear. The nuclear is gone. But look at the damage they've suffered, the death that they've suffered. They could have had a deal where nobody would have died.”

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said: “We are confronted with a broad front in a propaganda war; we are in a spiritual war.”

What Happens Next

With both sides adhering touncompromising positions, the resumption of nuclear negotiations appears unlikely.

The absence of diplomacy heightens the risk of further confrontation as both countries navigate the destabilizing aftermath of the June war.