We'll wipe it out faster: Trump again warns Iran over nuclear enrichment

US President Donald Trump has again warned Iran against its nuclear enrichment activities, weeks after launching strikes on three major Iranian nuclear sites. Speaking at a press conference in Scotland alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump said Iran was "sending very bad signals, very nasty signals."

"They shouldn’t be doing that," Trump said. "We wiped out their nuclear possibilities. They can start again. If they do, we’ll wipe it out faster than you can wave your finger at it. We will do that gladly, openly and gladly."

Trump’s warning comes after Iran’s announcement to continue enriching uranium for civilian purposes. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the development last week during talks with the UK, France, and Germany. Araghchi said that uranium enrichment is Iran’s right, and it is necessary for medical and energy use.

After Trump’s remarks, Araghchi responded, saying, "Iran will never respond to the language of threat and intimidation," he said, adding that the country "will not hesitate to react in a more decisive manner" if attacked again. Araghchi repeated that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful in nature and meant for civilian and medical use only.

TRUMP CALLS IRAN 'STUPID'

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also issued warning on Sunday. "If you continue to threaten Israel, our long arm will reach Tehran again with even greater power – and this time personally to you, too," he said, addressing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Trump had earlier claimed that the US strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities in June had "obliterated" the country’s nuclear program. However, intelligence reports suggest that the damage might not have been as extensive as initially claimed. The reports say the program has only been set back by a few months.

Over the weekend, Trump criticised Iran’s ongoing efforts to enrich uranium, calling it "stupid." He also accused Iran of interfering in the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in Qatar. "I think they got involved in this negotiation, telling Hamas and giving Hamas signals and orders," he said.

During his first term, Trump pulled the US out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear deal involving Iran and world powers. The deal had limited Iran’s nuclear activities in return for lifting international sanctions. After Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement, Iran resumed enriching uranium beyond the limits set in the JCPOA.

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With inputs from Agencies