The Trump administration is pushing for a complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, according to National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. He shared this stance during an appearance on CBS News’ Face the Nation, emphasizing that Iran should not be allowed to maintain any nuclear weapons program.
The specifics of what Waltz meant by "full dismantlement" are somewhat unclear. Initially, it seemed he was referring to Iran’s entire nuclear program, including civilian aspects. However, he later clarified that the focus was on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Iran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Yet, since the U.S. withdrew from the nuclear agreement established during the Obama administration, Iran has been enriching uranium at a faster pace, nearing the levels suitable for weapons.
In a related development, President Trump has expressed interest in negotiating a new nuclear deal with Iran, warning that failing to do so could lead to war. Recently, he sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, asking for talks and setting a two-month deadline for a response.
Iran’s reaction to the letter has been mixed. Khamenei dismissed it as a “deception,” while the Iranian mission to the United Nations indicated that they might consider negotiations if the discussions address concerns about potential militarization of their nuclear program. This suggests some uncertainty on Tehran’s part regarding the scope of Trump’s demands.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, mentioned in an interview that the letter aimed to avoid conflict and proposed creating a verification program to ensure that Iran’s nuclear materials are not weaponized.