WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has put the United States on the verge of war against Iran with the goal of ending that nation’s nuclear weapons program, less than eight months after proclaiming he had “completely and totally obliterated” that same program.
The United States Navy already has one carrier strike group within aircraft and missile range of Iran in the Arabian Sea. Another is underway to the Eastern Mediterranean, where it would also be in range and available to protect Israel and American bases in the region from retaliatory strikes.
Trump told reporters on Air Force One Thursday that Iran had to “make a deal” in the coming days. “I would think that would be enough time: 10-15 days. Pretty much maximum,” he said on his way to a rally in Georgia.
That language is nearly identical to what he said on June 19, 2025: Iran had to make an agreement to abandon its nuclear program “within the next two weeks.” Trump, though, ordered the military to hit three weapons sites in Iran after just two days.
Eight months later, Trump has not explained why a second attack on Iran is necessary now if the country’s nuclear weapons program was, in fact, destroyed by his air strike last year.
