US President Donald Trump reiterated that Iran will never be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon, describing the country's leadership as "very violent, evil people" during a Fox News interview broadcast on Sunday.
Trump warned that Tehran would have deployed a nuclear device had it successfully acquired one, claiming such an eventuality would have devastated the Middle East, destroyed Israel, and potentially left the United States or European nations as secondary targets.
"If I weren't president, Israel would be gone. There would be no Israel. And there would probably be no Middle East," Trump said during the interview.
The president defended the administration's military posture and maritime security operations, highlighting the impact of ongoing economic sanctions and naval measures targeting Iranian ports.
"We are doing a great job. The blockade has been unbelievable... we are hitting them very hard. Nobody has ever been hit like this," Trump said, characterizing Iran as a "failing nation".
Addressing the outbreak of regional hostilities, Trump noted surprise over Tehran's decision to target neighboring Gulf states earlier in the conflict, asserting that those actions severely eroded Iran's diplomatic backing in the region. He also directed criticism toward domestic political opponents, accusing Democrats of favoring unfavorable military outcomes against Iran and Venezuela, while insisting the US maintains a dominant strategic position.
