US President Donald Trump has said he would not use nuclear weapons against Iran, while indicating that he does not expect to deploy American ground troops to the country amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
In an interview with Newsmax, Trump ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, signalling that the United States would not resort to the most destructive weapons in its military arsenal in dealing with the conflict.
“I would not use” nuclear weapons against Iran, Trump said during the interview, addressing concerns over the potential escalation of hostilities and the possibility of a wider regional confrontation.
The US president also expressed reluctance to send American troops into Iran, saying he did not see the need for “putting US troops on the ground” there. His remarks suggest that, at least for now, Washington is not anticipating a direct ground invasion involving US forces.
A deployment of American ground troops into Iran would carry significant military and political risks, potentially resulting in prolonged fighting, American casualties and further instability across the Middle East. The prospect of such an operation has been a major concern amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
Trump's comments also highlighted the importance of diplomatic engagement in addressing nuclear-related concerns. During the Newsmax interview, he said the United States was talking to Russia and China about denuclearisation, indicating that Washington was engaging with the two major powers on efforts to reduce nuclear threats.
Cooperation among the United States, Russia and China could play an important role in broader discussions on nuclear weapons, strategic stability and non-proliferation. However, the details of the discussions, including their scope, timeline and potential outcomes, were not provided in the interview.
The remarks come against the backdrop of persistent international concerns over nuclear proliferation and the risk of a broader conflict involving Iran. Any escalation could have consequences for regional security, global energy markets and diplomatic relations among major powers.
By ruling out nuclear weapons and expressing little expectation of deploying ground troops, Trump has offered an indication of his stated approach to the crisis. Nevertheless, his comments do not necessarily rule out other forms of US military action or changes in policy as the situation develops.
The president's remarks are likely to draw attention from international observers as governments assess the prospects for de-escalation, diplomatic negotiations and efforts to prevent further conflict.
Further details about the US discussions with Russia and China on denuclearisation, as well as Washington's future approach towards Iran, remain unclear.