The Trump administration is pushing for a “full dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear program, according to National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who made the statement on Sunday.
It remains unclear whether Waltz was referring to Iran’s entire civilian nuclear energy program or solely its military-related activities.
His initial remarks suggested the former, but he later clarified that Iran “will not and cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapons program.”
Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes. However, since Trump’s withdrawal from an Obama-era nuclear agreement, Iran’s uranium enrichment has accelerated and is approaching weapons-grade levels.
Mike Waltz (Photo: Getty Images)
Trump has stated that he seeks a nuclear deal with Iran, warning that the alternative could be war. Earlier this month, the president disclosed that he had sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, proposing negotiations.
Iran’s reaction to the letter has been mixed. Khamenei dismissed it as a “deception,” while the Iranian mission to the United Nations issued a more measured response, stating:
“If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-à-vis any potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration.” This statement suggests uncertainty over the scope of Trump’s demands.
In a Friday interview with Tucker Carlson, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, explained that Trump’s letter conveyed a desire to avoid war and proposed that both nations “create a verification program so that nobody worries about weaponization of your nuclear material.”
