Trump Issues Stark Warning to Iran, Says U.S. Will Respond With Greater Force if Nuclear Efforts Resume

President says Tehran has been weakened but cautions any attempt to rebuild military or nuclear capabilities would trigger a powerful U.S. response.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

President Donald Trump warned Monday that the United States would respond forcefully if Iran attempts to rebuild its nuclear or military capabilities, saying any renewed threat from Tehran would bring consequences “more powerful” than previous actions.

Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following their meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where the two leaders discussed Iran, regional security and ongoing Middle East tensions.

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Asked how close the region might be to another confrontation involving Iran, Trump said there were concerns Tehran could be “behaving badly,” while noting that intelligence assessments were still under review. He said Iran is fully aware of the risks of further escalation.

“They know the consequences,” Trump said. “Consequences will be very powerful, maybe more powerful than the last time.”

Trump referenced airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States in June that damaged Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities, while acknowledging reports that Iran may be attempting to rebuild parts of its military infrastructure. He said Tehran had passed up an earlier opportunity to ease tensions.

“Iran should have made a deal the last time I gave them the option,” Trump said. “I said, ‘You can make a deal. Do it.’

“They didn’t believe me. Now they believe me.”

Pressed on whether U.S. concerns are focused primarily on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Trump said any effort by Tehran to advance its nuclear program would be a grave error.

“If they’re doing that, they’re making a big mistake,” he said.

Trump added that the United States remains open to diplomacy but stressed that deterrence remains central to U.S. policy toward Iran.

“I would support discussions,” he said. “I said to them, ‘Let’s negotiate.’ And they didn’t believe what was going to happen would happen.”

He also said Iran’s regional standing has been significantly diminished and warned against allowing it to recover.

“Iran has been greatly reduced in power, prestige,” Trump said. “We can’t let them build up again, because if they build up, there can’t be peace in the Middle East.”