Donald Trump says the United States does not need nuclear weapons against Iran but leaves open the possibility of further conventional strikes on heavily fortified nuclear facilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran while leaving open the possibility of further conventional military strikes on the country’s heavily fortified nuclear facilities, according to remarks he made in an interview with Newsmax.
Trump said the United States did not need to deploy nuclear weapons despite possessing what he described as the world’s most powerful nuclear arsenal. His comments came amid reports that Washington was considering additional attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.
During the interview, Trump also addressed speculation about the potential use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, commonly known as the “Mother of All Bombs.” He emphasized that the weapon was not nuclear but a powerful conventional bomb designed to cause extensive destruction.
The bomb carries approximately 8.5 tonnes of explosives and is intended to inflict substantial damage across a wide area. However, questions remain about whether it could penetrate deeply buried nuclear facilities protected by thick layers of rock.
One location drawing particular attention is Pickaxe Mountain, an underground facility near Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex. The site is described as heavily fortified, raising questions about the effectiveness of conventional weapons against infrastructure buried deep beneath the ground.
Trump suggested that the United States might have to target the location to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“We may have to go there,” Trump said, leaving open the possibility of further military action. However, he did not confirm whether he had authorized the use of the Mother of All Bombs against Iranian targets.
His remarks indicate that Washington could continue applying military pressure through airstrikes rather than a ground operation. Trump suggested that deploying American ground troops to Iran was unlikely, although he did not rule out further military action against the country’s nuclear infrastructure.
Preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons remains a central objective of Trump’s stated policy. He has repeatedly argued that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a serious threat, making the country’s nuclear facilities a major focus of U.S. security concerns.
The possibility of additional strikes raises questions about the future course of the confrontation and its implications for regional stability. Attacks on underground nuclear facilities could present significant military challenges because of their depth, protective structures and location.
Although Trump has ruled out a nuclear attack, his comments leave open the possibility of further conventional strikes. Whether the United States will target Pickaxe Mountain or authorize the use of the Mother of All Bombs remains unclear.
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