US President Donald Trump said the United States was close to launching military action against Iran before regional allies requested more time for diplomatic negotiations with Tehran.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the construction site of a new White House ballroom and security complex, Trump said the US military was fully prepared for an operation before Gulf nations urged Washington to delay any immediate action.
“I was an hour away from making the decision to go today,” Trump said. “We were all set to go. The boats, the ships are all loaded, they’re loaded to the brim, and we’re all set to start.”
According to Trump, regional leaders later contacted him and said they believed Iran was engaging constructively in negotiations and deserved additional time for diplomacy.
“They called up, they had heard I made the decision, they said, sir, could you give us a couple more days because we think they’re being reasonable,” he said.
Trump says diplomatic window will remain limited
The US president indicated that the administration was willing to briefly extend talks but warned that the opportunity for diplomacy would not remain open indefinitely.
“Well, I’m saying two or three days, maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday, maybe early next week. A limited period of time. Because we can’t let them have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
Trump once again argued that Iran obtaining nuclear weapons would pose a major threat to the Middle East and global security. He claimed Tehran would target several countries in the region if it acquired nuclear capability.
“If they had a nuclear weapon, they would start with Israel,” Trump said. “They’d go after Saudi Arabia, they’d go after Kuwait, they’d go after UAE, they’d go after Qatar.”
He further described the possibility as a pathway toward “nuclear holocaust” and said he believed Iran would use such weapons if it acquired them.
Trump claims Iran’s military strength has weakened
During the interaction with reporters, Trump also claimed that Iran’s military infrastructure had suffered significant losses.
“Their missiles are 82 per cent gone, we estimate,” he said. “Their Navy is completely gone; their Air Force is completely gone.”
The US president did not provide specific details or evidence to support the assessment, but the comments reflected the administration’s continued pressure campaign against Tehran.
Trump also said Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him that Beijing was not supplying weapons to Iran.
“President Xi has promised me that he’s not sending any weapons to Iran,” Trump said. “That’s a beautiful promise. I take him at his word.”
Gulf nations coordinating with Washington over Iran talks
Trump said several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, were working closely with Washington during the negotiations involving Iran.
“We are negotiating together,” Trump said, adding that Israel had remained a key partner during the ongoing discussions and security coordination.
The remarks indicate continued diplomatic and strategic coordination between the United States, Gulf allies and Israel amid concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional activities.
Trump dismisses criticism over hardline Iran policy
Trump also criticised opposition Democrats who have questioned his approach toward Iran, accusing them of weakening the US negotiating position.
“I’m in the middle of a negotiation, I’m saying you cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
When asked whether possible military action against Iran could carry political risks, Trump dismissed the concern and said national security considerations were more important than public opinion.
“Whether it’s popular or not popular, I have to do it, because I’m not going to let the world be blown up on my watch,” Trump said.
The remarks marked one of the clearest public indications yet that direct US military action against Iran had been under active consideration before diplomatic efforts temporarily delayed any decision.
(With inputs from IANS)