Amid rising tension in the Middle East and uncertainty over how far the United States might go in its confrontation with Iran, President Donald Trump said he is not close to sending American troops into the country to secure nuclear material. Speaking in an interview with The New York Post, Donald Trump pushed back against reports claiming the US could launch a ground operation at a key Iranian nuclear site.
The clear indication comes as Iran faces upheaval following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli airstrikes and the rapid appointment of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new leader. The US President has made clear that he is unhappy with that choice, but declined to reveal what actions Washington might take in response.
“We haven’t made any decision on that. We’re nowhere near it,” Trump told the New York Post.
Reports from several media outlets had claimed that the Trump administration were considering sending troops to Iran to secure nuclear material stored at an underground site near Isfahan. The facility is believed to hold uranium enriched to about 60 per cent purity, which is just step away from weapons-grade material.
Trump, speaking by phone from his golf club in Doral, Florida, downplayed the idea that a military mission was imminent. However, he has previously refused to completely rule out the option if the situation escalates further.
“I don’t have the yips with respect to boots on the ground — like every president says, ‘There will be no boots on the ground.’ I don’t say it,” he said earlier.
TRUMP HITS OUT AT IRAN’S NEW LEADER
He also addressed the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader, replacing his father who was killed during the first wave of US-Israeli strikes. Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, had long been considered a powerful behind-the-scenes figure with strong links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Asked how the United States would deal with Iran’s new leadership, Trump refused to reveal his strategy but made it clear that he disapproved of the decision.
“Not going to tell you,” Trump said when asked about his plans. “Not going to tell you. I’m not happy with him.”
Before Mojtaba’s appointment was confirmed, Trump had already warned that the idea of another Khamenei leading Iran was unacceptable. He had also threatned that any successor chosen without Washington’s approval “is not going to last long.”
HARDLINE RESPONSE FROM IRAN
The leadership change in Tehran has been accompanied by defiant statements from Iran, who vowed to continue fighting the war with the United States and Israel. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the government would remain committed to defending the country and pursuing its national interests.
“We pledge that, in defense of the rights of the great Iranian nation, the advancement of national interests and security, and the realization of the lofty goals of the Islamic Revolution, we shall not falter for a moment,” Araghchi said after Mojtaba Khamenei was named supreme leader.
Iran’s defense council echoed that stance, declaring: “We will obey the commander-in-chief until the last drop of our blood.”
