US President Donald Trump’s contradictory remarks about Iran’s nuclear ambitions have left allies and critics alike perplexed, as tensions between Israel and Iran rise. Addressing the press after a premature exit from Tuesday’s G7 summit in Canada, Trump stated Iran was “very close” to acquiring nuclear weapons contradicting, straight out, recent US intelligence reports.
Only two months prior, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told Congress that Iran was not seeking a nuclear bomb. She said that the US intelligence community had discovered no indication that Iran restarted the nuclear weapons program it suspended in 2003.
Trump’s comments represent a dramatic departure from his earlier stance. Trump had last month stated that the US and Iran were close to striking an agreement on Iran’s nuclear aspirations. Since the Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets last Friday, however, Trump has taken on a less stable tone.
The Trump administration first denied any US involvement in the Israeli attacks. However, in recent days, Trump seemed to suggest that the US could get into the war itself, leaving onlookers wondering if Washington had ulterior motives. Israel is said to be pushing the US to supply bunker-buster bombs to attack Iran’s deeply buried Fordow plant.
Trump added to the confusion when he informed reporters, “I may do it. I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do,” regarding potential US involvement by the military. He later said that Iranian leaders had inquired about negotiations, and “It’s a little late, but we may do that.
This wavering has sparked unease within Trump’s MAGA base, many of whom support his long-standing promise to avoid foreign wars and prioritize American interests. As uncertainty looms, the world watches closely for Washington’s next move.