The United States will strike Iran again if necessary, President Donald Trump said on Monday night, responding to recent remarks by Iran’s foreign minister about the severe damage caused by Washington’s June strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
“Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on the Iran Nuclear Sites, ‘Damages are very severe, they are destroyed.’ Of course they are, just like I said — and we will do it again, if necessary!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump also attacked CNN for reporting — based on preliminary intelligence — that Iran’s nuclear program had not been fully dismantled by last month’s US strikes.
“As interviewed by Bret Baier. Fake News CNN should immediately fire their phony ‘reporter’ and apologize to me and the great pilots who ‘OBLITERATED’ Iran’s nuclear sites. CNN is a major ratings loser, as is MSDNC!” Trump wrote.
The US Operation Midnight Hammer targeted three major Iranian nuclear sites using B-2 stealth bombers equipped with 30,000-pound “bunker buster” bombs.
In an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the extent of the destruction caused by the operation.
“Our facilities have been damaged, seriously damaged... as far as I know they are seriously damaged,” Araghchi added.
Despite the strikes, he insisted Iran would not abandon its uranium enrichment program, calling it a matter of national pride.
“Our enrichment is so dear to us,” he said. “Obviously we cannot give up our enrichment, because it is an achievement of our own scientists and now more than that, it is a question of national pride.”
Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but the UN’s nuclear watchdog has warned that the levels of uranium enrichment Tehran is pursuing have no civilian justification.
At a White House press briefing Monday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration remains open to diplomacy.
“The president has been very clear when it comes to his priorities for Iran — he obliterated their nuclear capability, and I understand that the administration continues to be open to talks with Iran if we deem them necessary,” Leavitt said.
Iran is expected to meet with European powers for nuclear talks on Friday, but the United States will not be participating.
