US President Donald Trump on Monday warned that the United States would quickly launch new attacks on Iran if it resumes its nuclear programme, which he had previously struck in June.
Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said, “I hear Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we have to knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them.” He also expressed openness to negotiating a deal, describing it as “much smarter.”
Trump praised Netanyahu, stating that Israel’s survival would have been in jeopardy under the “wrong prime minister,” and noted that Israeli President Isaac Herzog intended to pardon Netanyahu on corruption-related charges. He also expressed hope for improved relations between Israel and Syria, despite ongoing tensions and territorial infringements by the Israeli government.
On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed Ukraine attempted to attack his residence in northern Russia, a claim Kyiv denied.
Trump described the situation as delicate and emphasized the need for restraint. He said he had a “very good talk” with Putin earlier in the day and acknowledged several “thorny issues” in efforts to end the war.
Russia currently controls about a fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea, and claims Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, though these remain internationally recognized as Ukrainian territory.
While Russia demands Ukrainian troop withdrawals from certain areas, Kyiv seeks to maintain front lines and has considered a free economic zone proposal from Washington as part of negotiations. Trump stressed the importance of balancing offensive actions with diplomacy during this period.
