23/04/2026
Share:
23/04/2026
Share:
Washington, D.C., April 23: President Donald Trump rejected the idea of using nuclear weapons against Iran, calling it a "stupid question" and insisting that the U.S. military campaign has already "decimated" Iranian forces using conventional means.
The president appeared visibly perturbed when asked by a reporter in the Oval Office whether he would consider deploying nuclear weapons against the Islamic Republic.
"No, I wouldn't. We don't need it. Why do I need it? Why would a stupid question like that be asked?" Trump fumed.
He went on to clarify his position emphatically.
"Why would I use a nuclear weapon, when we've totally, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it. No, I wouldn't use it. A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody."
Pushing Back on Timeline Concerns
Trump also pushed back against questions that the conflict has exceeded the four-to-six-week timeline he and his aides previously set for military operations.
"I took the country out militarily in the first four weeks. I took it out militarily," Trump said. "Now all we're doing is sitting back and seeing what deal (we make). And if they don't want to make a deal, then I'll finish it up militarily."
Blockade Putting Pressure on Iran
The president warned that the U.S. blockade has placed Iran under acute economic and infrastructural pressure, suggesting that the country faces a ticking clock on its oil industry.
"They are under time pressure. Because if they don't get their oil moving, their whole oil infrastructure is going to explode. You know what that means, because they have no place to store it."
Trump elaborated on the consequences of halted oil production.
"If they have to stop it, something happens underground that essentially renders it in very poor shape, and you never recover fully. You can recover 50, 60 percent but you can never have it like it is right now, and they have a matter of days before that event takes place. So I'm not under any pressure whatsoever."
Iranian Leadership 'in Turmoil'
Trump described Iran's leadership as fractured and uncertain, claiming that internal divisions are hampering any potential negotiations.
"They want to make a deal. We have been speaking to them, but they don't even know who's leading the country. They're in turmoil."
He added that his administration is giving Iran time to resolve its internal conflicts before resuming pressure.
"We thought we'd give them a little chance to get some of their turmoil resolved."
Trump also described Iran's leaders as "fighting like cats and dogs on who's going to control because we've created a real mess for them."
Broader Implications
The president's remarks come amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with no clear timeline for a diplomatic resolution. While Trump has ruled out nuclear escalation for now, his insistence on maintaining maximum pressure through blockades and military readiness signals that the standoff is far from over.
