Trump vows U.S. will block Iran from getting nuclear weapons
Donald Trump said the United States will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. (Photo: REUTERS/NATHAN HOWARD)
The United States will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear
weapons and will pursue that goal through diplomacy, President Donald Trump said during an address
to Congress.
Trump said Iran is working to ensure its missiles can reach
the United States.
“They (Iran — ed.) have already developed missiles that can
threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they are working on building
missiles that will soon reach the United States of America,” he said.
Tehran, however, continues to insist it is not resuming its
weapons program, including nuclear weapons. Trump said they “continue to carry
out certain work.”
“We are negotiating with them. They want to make a deal, but
we have not heard those mysterious words, ‘we will never have nuclear
weapons,’” he said.
Trump argued it would be better for both countries to
resolve the issue diplomatically.
“But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s
number one sponsor of terrorism, which they are, without question, to have
nuclear weapons. It cannot be allowed,” he said.
On Feb. 23, Reuters, citing an Iranian diplomat, reported
that Iran had signaled to the United States it was prepared to make concessions
on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief and recognition of its
right to enrich uranium.
Reuters reported that Iran is offering new concessions after
talks concluded last week. Analysts said the move suggests Tehran is trying to
preserve diplomatic ties and avoid a U.S. strike.
In late January, CNN reported that Trump was considering
launching a new large-scale strike on Iran after previous negotiations between
Washington and Tehran over limiting the nuclear program and missile production
failed to produce results.
The United States later moved a carrier strike group into
the region, deploying Patriot air defense systems, THAAD missile defense
systems and the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln to the Middle East. The move
came amid large-scale protests and the killing of demonstrators in Iran.
On Feb. 13, Trump said he was sending a second carrier group
to the Middle East in case he was unable to reach a diplomatic agreement with
Iran. He later said that a change of power in Iran “would be the best thing
that could happen.”
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