On Monday, former President Donald Trump declared that the United States and Israel have effectively dismantled Iran’s nuclear capabilities. He issued a stern warning to Tehran, cautioning that any attempts to rebuild its program would result in renewed military action. This statement comes amid reports suggesting that Iran is now pursuing chemical and biological warheads for its ballistic missiles.
Addressing the media at Mar-a-Lago alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump delivered a direct warning to Iran regarding its nuclear aspirations and missile development.
“I’ve heard that Iran is trying to regroup, and if that’s the case, we’ll have no choice but to dismantle their efforts once again,” Trump stated. “If they choose to proceed, we’ll hit them hard.” He further suggested that Iran would benefit more from negotiating a deal.
Trump also mentioned to reporters that a facility targeted in a recent U.S. campaign in Venezuela was located “along the shore.”
The former president underscored the importance of Iran’s defeat for regional peace, claiming that the collaborative U.S.-Israeli military efforts have significantly shifted the balance of power in the Middle East.
“We’ve just won a major conflict together,” he asserted. “Without our victory over Iran, peace in the Middle East wouldn’t have been possible. We completely dismantled their threat.”
Pressed on whether he would support further Israeli military action if Iran continues advancing its missile or nuclear programs, Trump responded affirmatively. “If they continue with the missiles — yes,” he said. “The nuclear — absolutely.”
The Trump-Netanyahu meeting came as Iran’s currency has hit record lows, and shopkeepers in Tehran have staged strikes over soaring inflation and a collapsing economy.
Iranian worshippers hold up their hands as signs of unity with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during an anti-Israeli rally to condemn Israel’s attacks on Iran, in downtown Tehran, Iran, on June 20, 2025. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Asked whether he would support the overthrow of Iran’s regime, Trump rejected the idea while pointing to unrest inside the country.
“I’m not going to talk about overthrow of a regime,” he said. “But they have tremendous inflation. Their economy is busted.” Trump added that protests are frequently met with lethal force by Iranian authorities.
The remarks followed a report Sunday by Iran International alleging that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is accelerating work on unconventional missile payloads, including chemical and biological options, citing unnamed military and security sources.
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows damage at the Fordo enrichment facility in Iran after U.S. strikes, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (Maxar Technologies via AP)
Iran denies pursuing chemical or biological weapons and maintains its missile program is defensive. Tehran ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1997 and analysts say the reported developments fit a broader pattern.
“The fact that Tehran’s ballistic missiles can carry unconventional payloads is not new,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Iranian pro-government supporters hold a giant Palestine flag at Palestine Square in Tehran, on April 14, 2024, in a celebration of the early morning Iran’s IRGC attack on Israel. (Hossein Beris / Middle East Images via AFP)
Taleblu pointed to Iran’s recent military behavior. “What should underscore the chemical threat was Tehran’s use of warheads with cluster munitions against Israel during the 12-day war,” he said. “These warheads can easily carry canisters for poison gas. In short, the conflict contained a dry run for a potential chemical attack.”
He added that Iran’s history heightens concern, citing Tehran’s past use of chemical agents during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s and its transfer of such weapons to Libya.
Later in the day, in a press conference after the meeting with Netanyahu, Trump repeated his threats to Iran, warning the United States would move swiftly if Tehran is attempting to rebuild its weapons programs.
“Speaking of Iran, I hope they’re not trying to build up again, because if they are, we’re going to have no choice but very quickly to eradicate that build up,” Trump said. He added that he has been reading reports that Iran is “building up weapons and other things,” possibly at “different sites” than those the U.S. previously “obliterated.”
A big banner depicting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is placed next to a ballistic missile in Baharestan Square in Tehran, Iran, on September 26, 2024 on the sideline of an exhibition which marks the 44th anniversary of the start of Iran-Iraq war. (Photo by Hossein Beris / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by HOSSEIN BERIS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo by Hossein Beris / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by HOSSEIN BERIS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
Pressed by reporters about the risk of another conflict with Iran, Trump said the information “hasn’t been confirmed,” but warned that “consequences will be very powerful,” potentially “more powerful than the last time,” if the reports prove accurate. He also said he was hearing Iran was “not nuclear yet,” but “looking at other sites,” cautioning that if Tehran is doing so, “they’re making a big mistake.”
Trump also said he would support direct talks with Tehran, noting he had backed negotiations even before the war. “I support that,” Trump said. “Before the war, I said, let’s negotiate.”
Analysts said Trump’s remarks mark a significant shift in U.S. posture toward Iran’s missile capabilities. Taleblu said Trump’s statements go beyond rhetoric. “Trump has just done what no president ever promised, to deal directly and militarily with Iran’s ballistic missile program in support of Israel,” Taleblu said. “This is historic.”
Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. Israel attacked Iran’s capital early Friday, with explosions booming across Tehran. (Getty)
He added that Iran’s missile threat extends well beyond Israel. “Iran’s ballistic missiles have been used not just against Israel, but U.S. forces and U.S. bases in the region as well, both direct and by proxy.” Taleblu concluded, “A commitment to countering this threat is priority number one for building a better and safer Middle East.”
