Former President Donald Trump has once again warned that the U.S. will strike Iran’s nuclear facilities “again, if necessary,” doubling down on his administration’s position that Tehran must halt its uranium enrichment program.
Trump’s comments came in response to a Fox News interview with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who admitted that Iran’s nuclear sites suffered “serious” damage in the June 22 U.S. airstrikes.
“Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on the Iran Nuclear Sites: ‘Damages are very severe, they are destroyed,’” Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social. “Of course they are, just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary!”
Trump Hits Back at CNN, Cites Iran’s Own Words
Trump took aim at recent media reports—particularly from CNN—that had downplayed the extent of the damage. A U.S. intelligence assessment initially suggested the strikes may have delayed Iran’s nuclear program by only a few months, rather than destroying it completely.
Trump pointed to Araghchi’s admission of extensive damage as proof the U.S. had dealt a serious blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Araghchi: Enrichment Will Continue Out of “National Pride”
In his interview, Araghchi acknowledged that Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities had been paused due to the airstrikes, but insisted they would resume.
“We cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists,” he told Fox News’ Bret Baier. “And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride.”
Araghchi added that Iranian authorities were still assessing the full extent of the damage and would allow United Nations inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to verify the situation. However, he declined to say whether any enriched uranium had survived the strikes.
Despite the damage, Araghchi insisted that Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful and said the country could prove this, potentially paving the way for sanctions relief.
“That would be a win-win for both Iran and the United States,” he said.
What’s Next
Araghchi’s remarks come just days before Iran is scheduled to resume nuclear negotiations with the so-called E3 group—France, the U.K., and Germany—in Istanbul on Friday. Tensions remain high, as both sides dig in on their positions.
While Iran insists on continuing enrichment as a matter of sovereignty and pride, Trump has made it clear that any signs of progress toward a nuclear weapon could prompt further military action.
