President Donald Trump stated he would not use nuclear weapons or deploy ground troops in Iran, while acknowledging potential conventional strikes on energy and nuclear sites.
U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out the use of nuclear weapons and the deployment of ground troops in Iran, according to an interview with Newsmax broadcast on Thursday. The comments come amid reports that the U.S. military is developing new strike options targeting Iranian infrastructure.
In the interview, Trump explicitly stated that the United States would not resort to nuclear force. "I wouldn’t use nuclear. We don’t have to. We’re the greatest nuclear power in the world," Trump said. He also addressed the possibility of a ground invasion, stating, "No, I don’t see that, I don’t see it."
Trump’s remarks followed CNN reports that Washington was considering the use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), known as the "Mother of All Bombs," against Iranian targets. Trump clarified the nature of the weapon, saying, "The mother of all bombs is not nuclear. It’s not nuclear at all. This is just an extremely large bomb. It’s like a tiny nuclear bomb. But the mother of all bombs is one big bomb, but it’s not nuclear."
According to CNN, citing officials familiar with military planning, the U.S. military has developed strike plans that could include attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites. These options could be considered if Trump orders combat operations to resume before or after the November midterm elections. Trump previously stated on Oct. 8 that he would not order a resumption of strikes before the Nov. 3 elections.
Trump specifically mentioned the suspected underground nuclear site known as Pickaxe Mountain. "Now, we're looking at Pickaxe Mountain. We may have to go there," Trump said. "We'll take a shot at that one. We'll knock it out fast."
However, sources cited by CNN expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the MOAB against deeply buried facilities. The MOAB weighs approximately 21,600 pounds and is designed for area clearance rather than deep penetration. "The MOAB is a massive information operation-type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else," one source told CNN. "It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead."
Trump predicted that the conflict would end soon, claiming that Iranian officials had requested a halt to military operations. "The Iran war will be over very soon. It's going to end very soon," Trump said. "One way or the other, it'll end very soon. And oil will go dropping like a rock — and gas prices as well." He added, "They've asked us to please stop. And we do, because we're negotiating with them."
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the Strait of Hormuz. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) stated that the threat in the waterway remains "severe" after the Singapore-registered container ship GFS Pride was struck by an unknown projectile and sank. The UKMTO noted that "deliberate hostile action" was highly likely and recorded eight attacks in the waterway since Oct. 11.
Iranian officials have emphasized their control over the region. Abdollah Haji Sadeghi, a representative of the Iranian Supreme Leader to the Revolutionary Guard, described the Strait of Hormuz as the country's "first line of defense," asserting that hostile forces would not pass without permission. Major General Amir Hatami, commander of the Iranian Army, stated that the strait is under full surveillance and that armed forces are at the highest levels of alert.
Trump’s statements clarify the boundaries of potential U.S. military escalation, ruling out the most extreme options while leaving conventional strikes on the table. The mention of specific targets like Pickaxe Mountain and the MOAB signals a continued focus on degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities through air power. However, expert skepticism regarding the MOAB’s effectiveness against deep underground sites suggests that achieving this goal may require more precise or specialized weaponry. The ongoing instability in the Strait of Hormuz continues to pose risks to global energy supplies and maritime security.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck a military camp in southern Yemen with ballistic missiles, killing at least 53 recruits and wounding 200 others, according to local authorities.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck a Yemeni government military camp in Shabwa province with ballistic missiles, killing at least 53 soldiers and wounding 200 recruits.