NaijNaira
President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to Iran, threatening potential military action against its nuclear facilities if Tehran refuses a new U.S. proposal aimed at curbing uranium enrichment.
According to Ynetnews, Trump made the statement aboard Air Force One, declaring that the United States will not accept any future agreement allowing Iran to continue enriching uranium. His comments followed earlier reports that Washington’s proposal would permit limited enrichment for a short transition period.
“If they enrich, we’ll have to do it the other way — we’ll have no choice,” Trump said. “I don’t really want to do it, but we’ll have no choice. No enrichment.”
Officials say Trump has so far resisted calls to authorize an Israeli strike on Iranian targets, wary that it could jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The president’s remarks came after urging Iran to quickly respond to the deal. Following a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who offered to mediate, Trump criticized Iran’s delay on his Truth Social platform, demanding a “definitive answer very soon.”
Meanwhile, Iranian leaders have shown resistance. Citing a senior diplomat, Reuters reported that Tehran considers the proposal a “non-starter,” mainly because it doesn’t ease the U.S. demand that Iran fully halt uranium enrichment.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected the terms in a speech Wednesday, stating that any deal without enrichment renders Iran’s nuclear program “worthless.” He asked, “Who are you to tell Tehran whether we should have a nuclear program?”
As tensions with Tehran rise, Trump also addressed his public conflict with Elon Musk. While reiterating a threat to cut federal contracts with Musk’s companies, including SpaceX, Trump dismissed the issue as a distraction from more pressing matters.
“Honestly, I’m so busy working on China, working on Russia, working on Iran — I’m working on so many things,” he said. “I don’t think about Elon. You know, I wish him all the best.”
Despite the public fallout, Trump said the U.S. could manage without Musk’s ventures. “The U.S. can survive without almost anyone. Except me,” he added.
SpaceX, which operates the Dragon spacecraft — currently the only U.S. system ferrying astronauts to the International Space Station — was briefly at the center of the dispute after Musk hinted at pulling out of service, only to later retract the comment.
In a separate move, Trump signed a proclamation Thursday reviving elements of his previous travel ban. Effective Monday at 12:01 a.m., it bans citizens from 12 countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, and Somalia, from entering the U.S. It also places restrictions on travelers from seven additional nations such as Cuba and Venezuela.
The administration stated the new order is backed by stronger legal footing, citing a previous Supreme Court ruling. Iranian officials condemned the travel ban as discriminatory and accused the U.S. of targeting Muslims with what they called a “racist mentality” and a breach of international law.
The updated restrictions were issued days after a violent incident in Colorado, where an Egyptian national injured 15 demonstrators during a protest. Egypt was not included in the new restrictions.
