By Gloria Ogbonna
President Donald Trump said he is not seeking war with Iran, emphasizing instead his long-standing preference for peace—while simultaneously issuing strong warnings about what he described as the country’s “violent and vicious” leadership.
Speaking to reporters after signing an executive order to establish a federal task force focused on rooting out fraud, Trump addressed growing concerns about escalating tensions in the Middle East. When asked about the administration’s position, Vice President JD Vance pushed back against suggestions of internal disagreement, accusing the media of attempting to create division within the administration.
“You’re trying to drive a wedge between members of this administration,” Vance told a reporter. He reiterated his alignment with Trump’s long-held stance on Iran, noting that the president has consistently argued—dating back to 2015—that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. Vance added that he trusts Trump’s leadership to navigate the situation effectively, saying he believes the president will “get the job done” while avoiding the missteps of previous administrations.
Trump, for his part, stressed that military conflict is not his goal. “I don’t want wars,” he said. “I want wars less than almost anybody. I believe in peace through strength.” However, he argued that Iran’s leadership poses a significant global threat, pointing to what he described as a long history of violence and instability.
“I’ve been watching Iran for a long time,” Trump continued. “Even years ago, before politics, I was calling out what I saw. The leadership—they are violent, vicious people.” He went on to make serious allegations about the Iranian government’s actions against its own citizens, claiming that thousands of protesters had been killed in recent weeks.
The president also reiterated his strong opposition to Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, arguing that such a development would have catastrophic consequences for the region and beyond. “If Iran ever gets a nuclear weapon, they will use it,” Trump warned. “It’s not a question of if—it’s a question of when.”
He further claimed that Iran’s past military actions in the Middle East demonstrate its willingness to escalate conflicts, referencing reported strikes involving neighboring countries such as Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. These developments, he suggested, reinforce the urgency of preventing Iran from expanding its military capabilities.
The comments come amid heightened tensions following reports that the United States and Israel conducted joint military operations targeting Iran’s missile stockpiles. While Trump framed the actions as necessary for regional security, critics have raised concerns about the risk of broader conflict.
.@POTUS: "I don't want wars. I want wars less than almost anybody… I think @VP understands better than most — if you give Iran a nuclear weapon, at least a very substantial part of the world would be blown up, and it'd be used almost immediately." https://t.co/P0bwpBnyaR pic.twitter.com/WgSgQTF0zy
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 16, 2026
Despite the escalating rhetoric, Trump maintained that his ultimate objective remains stability. “We want peace,” he said, “but it has to be peace with strength, and it has to be peace that keeps America and our allies safe.”
As the situation continues to evolve, the administration faces increasing scrutiny over how it balances deterrence with diplomacy in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
Source Breitbart
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