Donald Trump stated today that he would “feel better” if the US had possession of Iran’s highly enriched uranium, clarifying however that this would be “more for communication reasons.” “I would prefer to have it. I would feel better if I had it (…) but I think more for communication reasons, rather than anything else,” the American president said in an interview with Fox News from Beijing, where he is conducting an official visit for the second day.
“What we could do is bomb it again,” he added, apparently referring to US bombings against three Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. President Trump has periodically expressed different and often contradictory positions regarding Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. Among other things, he has argued that it is inaccessible because it was buried under facility debris, while in other cases he has stated that remote monitoring would suffice.
Trump: possibility of new military operations against Iran remains open
Donald Trump left open the possibility of repeating military operations against Iran, despite the ongoing ceasefire, with a post on his Truth Social platform just hours before the second day of his talks with Xi Jinping in Beijing.
The American president used the phrase “continues” when referring to the US military campaign against Tehran, while simultaneously attempting to present the conflict with Iran as evidence of the “return of American power” during his presidency.
Just before 1:00 AM Friday morning Greek time, Donald Trump published an extensive post on Truth Social platform with references to Xi Jinping, the American economy, and the military operation against Iran.
The American president attacked his predecessor, Joe Biden, arguing that the United States was in a period of decline before his return to the White House.
“When President Xi referred very elegantly to the United States as possibly a nation in decline, he was referring to the tremendous damage we suffered during the four years of ‘Sleepy Joe Biden’ and the Biden administration, and he was 100% right about that,” he wrote characteristically.
Trump then referenced immigration policy, taxation, crime, and diversity policies in the US, arguing that the country was “reborn” within the first 16 months of his own administration.
“Iran’s military crushing… continues”
The point that caused the greatest sensation was the American president’s reference to Iran. Trump claimed his administration achieved “military victory” and spoke of “Iran’s military crushing,” adding the phrase “continues,” which was interpreted as a warning that new attacks might follow.
“President Xi was not referring to the incredible rise the United States has shown in the world during the 16 spectacular months of the Trump administration, which includes historic highs in the stock market and 401(k) retirement programs, military victory and thriving relationship in Venezuela, Iran’s military crushing (continues!),” he stated in his post.
Meanwhile, he characterized the US as “the strongest military power in the world,” while noting that the American economy is once again on a strong growth trajectory. “Two years ago we were indeed a nation in decline. I completely agree with President Xi on that. But now the United States is the most dynamic nation in the world and I hope our relationship with China will be stronger and better than ever,” he added.
Fragile ceasefire between US and Iran
Donald Trump’s statements come at a time when the ceasefire between the US and Iran remains particularly fragile. Before his departure for Beijing, the American president had stated that the ceasefire is on “life support,” implying that talks with Tehran are not proceeding smoothly.
For his part, US Vice President JD Vance mentioned that “progress is being made,” noting however that serious disagreements continue regarding Iran’s nuclear program and the American position that Tehran must never acquire nuclear weapons.
