Trump signals willingness to bomb Iran again amid ongoing conflict
WASHINGTON, June 28: US President Donald Trump stated that he would 'absolutely' consider bombing Iran again if intelligence indicated the country was advancing uranium enrichment to concerning levels. Speaking at a White House press briefing, Trump told BBC's Nomia Iqbal that he would 'without question' take military action under such circumstances.
The United States became directly involved in the recent Israel-Iran conflict by striking key Iranian nuclear sites with 'bunker buster' bombs last weekend. However, Trump quickly pushed for a ceasefire soon after the attacks.
On Thursday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that the strikes had achieved no significant damage, a claim Trump strongly disputed on Friday, asserting that Iran's nuclear facilities had been 'obliterated.'
Later that day on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed to know 'EXACTLY' where the ayatollah had been hiding during the conflict. He added that he personally prevented Israeli and US forces from targeting the Iranian leader.
It is believed that Khamenei was forced into hiding throughout the two-week war between Israel and Iran.
All sides in the conflict have claimed victory. The ayatollah assured Iranians that Israel and its allies had failed to disrupt Iran's nuclear program. Nevertheless, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that 'excessive and serious' damage had been inflicted on Iran's nuclear sites due to recent US and Israeli bombings.
In response to Khamenei's remarks, Trump reiterated his stance that Iran had been 'decimated,' questioning why the Supreme Leader would falsely claim victory.
Trump also revealed he had been 'working on the possible removal of sanctions' against Iran but halted all progress after the ayatollah's statement, which he described as full of 'anger, hatred, and disgust.'
Iran continues to assert that its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes.
The latest hostilities began when Israel attacked Iranian nuclear and military facilities, killing several nuclear scientists and military officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that 'if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time.'
According to CBS News, the White House has considered multiple strategies to bring Iran back to the negotiating table, including funding a civilian, non-enrichment nuclear program. However, Iran has denied plans to resume talks with the US, contradicting Trump's recent statement at a NATO summit in The Hague that negotiations would restart next week.
Iran's health ministry reported 610 deaths during the 12 days of air strikes, while Israeli officials confirmed 28 fatalities in Israel.
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