April 24, 2026 | 03:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - United States President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he would not deploy nuclear weapons in the ongoing war against Iran.
"Why would I use a nuclear weapon? We’ve totally, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it," Trump told reporters at the White House when questioned on the matter, as reported by Al Arabiya.
"No, I wouldn’t use it. A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody," he emphasized.
When asked how long he was prepared to wait for a long-term peace agreement with Tehran, Trump replied, "Don't rush me."
He noted that while Iran may have bolstered its weaponry "a little bit" during the recent two-week ceasefire, the U.S. military remains capable of neutralizing such gains within a day.
"Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone, their anti-aircraft is gone ...maybe they loaded up a little bit during the two-week hiatus, but we’ll knock that out about one day, if they did," said Trump.
"I want to make the best deal. I could make a deal right now ... but I don’t want to do that. I want to have it everlasting," Trump said.
Rejection of an Iranian Nuclear Arsenal
Trump further clarified his desire for a permanent accord with Iran, specifically one that includes provisions ensuring Tehran never acquires nuclear capabilities.
"I want to have it everlasting. I want to have it where they never get, they never have a chance to get [nuclear weapon]," said Trump as reported by Antara.
He also stated that the United States could currently secure a temporary agreement lasting approximately 20 years, the estimated timeframe the Islamic Republic would require to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure.
The United States and Israel previously launched strikes against Iranian targets on February 28, resulting in significant damage and civilian casualties.
On April 7, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire, followed by diplomatic talks in Islamabad that ultimately concluded without a resolution.
Following the collapse of those negotiations, the United States declared it would begin blocking vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports. Tehran responded by once again closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
With the two-week ceasefire now at an end, Trump stated that the United States would extend the truce with Iran while maintaining the blockade, adding that peaceful discussions with Tehran may take place within the next 36 to 72 hours.
Read: Ceasefire Extended: What's Next in the Iran War?
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