The United States has called for the complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear program, escalating tensions in the Middle East and raising the specter of military intervention. U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz issued the warning on Sunday, stating that "all options are on the table" and urging Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
"It’s time for Iran to fully give up its desire to acquire a nuclear weapon," Waltz told CBS, as reported by Digi24. He cautioned that if Iran were to obtain such weapons, it could trigger a dangerous arms race across the Middle East.
Trump’s Direct Message to Khamenei
President Donald Trump revealed in an interview that he had sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warning of dire consequences if diplomacy fails. "I wrote: 'I hope you’ll negotiate, because if we have to act militarily, it will be terrible,'" Trump stated.
While Khamenei has so far rejected the idea of new negotiations with Washington, Iran’s government has sent mixed signals in recent weeks. Trump’s letter follows earlier outreach efforts aimed at restarting dialogue around nuclear restrictions.
Legacy of the 2015 Nuclear Deal
The current standoff has roots in Trump’s 2018 decision to unilaterally withdraw the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the landmark deal that had curbed Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Following the withdrawal, Iran steadily scaled back its compliance, enriching uranium beyond the deal's limits.
The Biden administration had attempted to revive the agreement, but no final terms were reached before Trump’s return to office. Now, with renewed hardline rhetoric from Washington, prospects for diplomatic resolution appear increasingly slim.
As global powers monitor the situation, the stakes are high. A misstep could upend the already fragile regional balance and entrench another crisis in U.S.–Middle East relations.
