Trump Claims He Prevented Iran's Nuclear Armament and Middle East Destruction

In a Fox News interview, former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that his administration prevented Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, stating, "They will not have nuclear weapons." He characterized Iran as the "number one sponsor of terror" and argued that preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear capability justified American actions against the Islamic Republic.

Trump highlighted the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions and naval blockades against Iran, describing the financial blows as "unbelievable" and stating that "nobody has ever taken a hit like this." He called Iran a "failed nation" and expressed openness to letting events unfold without insisting on a formal agreement, saying, "Either we win or they do something. But I don't care about winning, just winning. I don't need a signature on a piece of paper."

He also criticized Iran's leadership, calling them "very bad" and accusing them of widespread violence against protesters, citing a figure of "52,000 protesters" killed three months prior, with more added since. Trump claimed that Iran's military capabilities have been severely damaged, despite acknowledging the Iranian people as "strong" and "smart."

Trump warned that Iran obtaining nuclear weapons would have catastrophic consequences for Israel and the wider Middle East, stating, "If they had nuclear weapons, Israel would be gone. If I wasn't president, Israel would be gone. There would probably be no Israel and no Middle East." He also suggested that the threat could eventually extend to the United States or Europe.