Trump warns Iran of severe consequences if no deal is reached

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran, stating that if no agreement is reached, the United States could push Iran “back to the Stone Age” within weeks.

Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing confusion over US objectives in the conflict, as he has alternated between suggesting an end to the campaign and issuing stern threats. In a televised address on Wednesday, he said, “It has only been a month since the US military launched Operation Epic Fury targeting Iran, the world’s number one sponsor of terror,” claiming rapid progress on the battlefield.

He further asserted that Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened, saying its navy has been destroyed, its air force crippled, and its missile and drone capacities drastically reduced. He also claimed that key leaders had been eliminated and weapons facilities dismantled. Trump reiterated that the campaign is aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, adding, “I have vowed that Iran will never have nuclear weapons.”

Referring to Operation Midnight Hammer and earlier strikes, Trump said US forces had destroyed nuclear sites and disrupted attempts to rebuild them elsewhere. He emphasized that the primary objective was to eliminate Iran’s military strength and its ability to project power beyond its borders, stating that these strategic goals are close to being achieved.

Warning of further escalation, Trump said that if talks fail, the US could target Iran’s electrical infrastructure. “In the next two to three weeks, we can take them back to the Stone Age,” he said. However, he clarified that regime change was not an official objective, though leadership changes had already occurred due to the deaths of key figures.

Trump also blamed Iran for the recent rise in global oil prices, attributing it to attacks on commercial oil tankers. He urged countries dependent on Middle Eastern oil to secure shipping routes and reduce reliance on the region.

He praised regional allies such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain for their support in the campaign. Trump also highlighted the strength of the US economy, noting that the country is the world’s leading producer of oil and gas and can withstand disruptions caused by the conflict.

Acknowledging the loss of 13 American soldiers, he said their families had urged him to complete the mission. Calling the operation historically swift, Trump claimed that within just one month, the campaign has brought the US close to eliminating what he described as a major global threat.