Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Oct 13: US President Donald Trump has expressed strong optimism about the possibility of striking a nuclear deal with Iran, claiming that Tehran is ready and that such a move would be the "best decision" the country has ever made. Speaking during a high-profile address at the Israeli Knesset on Monday, Trump outlined his stance on regional security, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and the broader implications for Middle East peace.
Trump emphasized that both the United States and Israel harbor no hostility towards the Iranian people but want to eliminate looming threats of nuclear conflict in the region. “We merely want to live in peace. We don’t want any looming threats over our heads and we don’t want to even think in terms of nuclear destruction. It’s not going to happen — never will happen,” Trump declared.
He urged Iran’s leadership to renounce terrorism, stop threatening its neighbors, cut off support to militant proxies, and recognize Israel’s right to exist — a condition he described as critical to regional stability. “To Iran, and as you know, this is not said out of weakness — there’s no weakness — but I’m going to say this: We are ready when you are,” Trump said. “It will be the best decision that Iran has ever made, and it’s going to happen.”
In a provocative revelation, Trump claimed the U.S. had dropped 14 bombs on key Iranian nuclear sites during his presidency, which he said “obliterated” their capabilities and pushed back their timeline for developing a nuclear weapon. “If Iran had that nuclear weapon that they were about two months away from having, they would have had it in two months or maybe less than that,” he said, adding that the strike was a “last shot” after decades of inaction by previous administrations.
According to Trump, the attack not only disrupted Iran’s nuclear progress but also paved the way for wider peace in the region, making it easier for Arab nations to engage in diplomatic agreements without the shadow of a nuclear-armed Iran. “We stopped the number one state sponsor of terror from obtaining the world’s most dangerous weapons,” he said, arguing that without the strike, “we couldn’t be here today.”
Despite his hawkish rhetoric, Trump reiterated his interest in diplomacy, saying he would like to negotiate a deal with Iran — but only after resolving current tensions with Russia. “Let’s focus on Russia first,” he said, addressing key members of his former administration and advisers, including Jared Kushner and Steve Mnuchin. “We’ll get it done.”
He described the current geopolitical climate as an “exciting time” for Israel and the Middle East, claiming that the “forces of chaos, terror, and ruin” had been weakened and isolated under his leadership. He pointed to a “new coalition of proud and responsible nations” that is taking shape in the region, referring to normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states during his presidency.
Trump’s speech also touched on internal resistance to any renewed Iran deal, suggesting that even if all conditions remained the same, public and political opposition might have prevented a similar agreement earlier. “Even if we signed the deal, which we couldn’t do because a lot of people would not want to have anything to do with it, we took a big cloud off of the Middle East and off Israel and it was my honour to help,” he said.
He dismissed reports that Iran may be resuming its nuclear programme, insisting Tehran is focused on survival. “Somebody said, ‘Sir, they’re starting their nuclear programme again.’ I said, ‘They’re not starting anything. They want to survive.’ The last thing they want to do is start digging holes again in mountains that just got blown up.”
Ending on a note of confidence, Trump signaled that he believes a peace deal with Iran is ultimately possible. “Wouldn’t it be nice? I think they want to. I think they’re tired,” he said, adding that when the time is right, his team will be ready to close the deal.
The remarks mark one of Trump’s most detailed public comments on Iran since leaving office and suggest that Iran remains a central focus of his Middle East vision should he return to the White House.