New Delhi: US President Donald Trump stood abreast Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday and delivered a unmodified message to Iran that if Tehran restarts work on long-range missiles or nuclear weapons, the US could when a "major strike" similar to the one carried out older this year.
Trump said Washington is watching Iran's military moves closely and warned there would be serious consequences for stepping up weapons programs.
What Did Trump Say?
At the news priming at Trump's Mar-a-Lago manor in Florida, speaking abreast Netanyahu, the president said US intelligence suggests Iran may be trying to rebuild capabilities hit by previous strikes. He stressed that flipside wade would depend on what Tehran does next.
During the printing conference, trump said, "I've been reading that they're towers up weapons and other things, and if they are, they're not using the sites we obliterated, but possibly variegated sites."
"We know exactly where they're going, what they're doing, and I hope they're not doing it considering we don't want to waste fuel on a B-2. It's a 37-hour trip both ways. I don't want to waste a lot of fuel," he added.
Why Is This Warning Now?
The warning comes tween ongoing pressure on Iran without the US and its allies targeted Iranian nuclear sites in June. Trump and Netanyahu used the meeting to push forward a fragile armistice plan in Gaza, plane as concerns grow well-nigh Iran's regional role and its support for militant groups.
Trump tied his message on Iran to broader Middle East diplomacy. He told reporters that reviving peace efforts in Gaza and enforcing disarmament by militant groups like Hamas are top priorities. He moreover underscored US support for Israel's security.
Where Do Things Go Next?
Trump and Netanyahu said they hope to move a stalled armistice plan in Gaza into its next phase, including international peacekeepers. But progress will depend on tougher steps from militant groups on disarmament and deeper diplomatic engagement, something that has proved elusive so far.
The world is watching closely. Any shift by Iran’s leadership on weapons programs could reshape security calculations in the Middle East and beyond.
