President Donald Trump warned Iran that it will face “ultimate consequences” if the regime obtains a nuclear weapon, drawing a hard red line as he works to lock down a Middle East peace deal.
Speaking during a G7 news conference and bilateral meeting with Qatar early Tuesday, Trump said Tehran “will not” be allowed to develop, buy or otherwise acquire a nuclear weapon under his emerging memorandum of understanding.
“And if they do, they suffer unbelievable consequences,” Trump said during a bilateral meeting with Qatar early Tuesday morning. “Not just a little bit, I won’t even tell you the consequences, but the consequences are the ultimate consequences.”
The president said the nuclear issue is at the center of his Iran deal and argued the language must go further than simply blocking Tehran from developing a bomb.
“They will not develop, purchase, buy or any other thing,” Trump said. “They’re not going to acquire a nuclear weapon. If they do, all hell will rain down on them.”
Trump said he still hopes the United States can build “a very good relationship” with Iran, but made clear that preventing the regime from getting a nuclear weapon remains nonnegotiable.
The president also stressed that the United States is “not investing any money” in Iran as part of the deal, drawing a contrast with the Obama-era nuclear agreement that conservatives long blasted as weak and one-sided.
Trump argued his memorandum of understanding is stronger than the failed JCPOA and said it is built around one central demand: Iran does not get the bomb.
The warning came as Donald Trump worked with Group of Seven leaders on a broader effort to stabilize the Middle East after months of escalating tensions involving Iran, Israel, Hezbollah and key Gulf allies.
Trump praised Qatar for being on the “front line” of regional tensions and touted the country’s plans to invest more than $1 trillion in the United States.
He also said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must be “more responsible” when it comes to Lebanon, even as he insisted the two leaders still have an “unbelievable relationship.”
The president’s comments suggested he is trying to keep pressure on every side of the conflict while pushing Iran toward a deal and warning Israel against moves that could blow up the talks.
Once the Iran issue is handled, Trump said his focus will shift back to ending the war in Ukraine.
He urged Russia to “make a deal” and said he will do “whatever I can” to stop the war.
For Trump, the message Tuesday was blunt, diplomacy is on the table, but Iran crossing the nuclear line would trigger consequences unlike anything the regime has seen.
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