Trump Reasserts Iran Nuclear Stance Amid Rising Tensions

President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, following a recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel that involved US military strikes. In an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures, Trump alleged that Iran was close to developing nuclear arms before the Israeli offensive on June 13. Trump announced that nine days later, the US struck at Iran's leading nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Although Trump declared these sites were 'obliterated,' Al Jazeera reported that multiple media outlets citing intelligence sources suggested otherwise.

Reports from US intelligence agencies and the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have not found any conclusive evidence of Iran actively constructing a nuclear arsenal. Iran maintains its nuclear program is civilian. The IAEA indicated uncertainty about the damage level at the Fordow plant, home to Iran's highly enriched uranium. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned Iran could resume uranium enrichment within months. Contrarily, Trump stated US strikes have delayed Iran's nuclear projects 'by decades.'

The IAEA's latest report suggests Iran possesses over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, near weapons grade. Trump labeled reports questioning the strike's success as 'fake news,' asserting these attacks marked a significant setback to Iran's nuclear pursuits at least for a period. He commented on Iran's potential nuclear restart, dismissing reports of enriched uranium relocation from Fordow as incorrect. He claimed the US strikes penetrated Iran's defenses, likening the destruction to a 'bomb going through butter.'

In other developments, Trump announced a suspension of US-Canada trade talks until Canada retracts a new digital services tax. He also touched upon US-China relations, asserting positive ties despite a trade imbalance. Trump revealed a buyer has been found for TikTok, with announcements pending amid the app's operational ban extension.

(With inputs from agencies.)