President Donald Trump cautioned Iran on Monday against resuming its nuclear program, coinciding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for discussions on various issues. Trump's warning follows his previous assertions that U.S. strikes in June had completely dismantled Iran's nuclear capabilities.
The statement was prompted by concerns voiced by Israeli officials, as reported in local media, regarding Iran's alleged efforts to rebuild its supply of long-range missiles capable of reaching Israel. "Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again," Trump told reporters shortly after Netanyahu's arrival. "And if they are, we’re going to have to knock them down. We’ll knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully that’s not happening."
Trump's administration has recently focused on combating drug trafficking in South America and is seeking to revitalize the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The Gaza deal faces potential setbacks before its second phase, which involves establishing an international governing body and reconstruction efforts, can be implemented.
The international community has long been concerned about Iran's nuclear ambitions. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, aimed to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under the Trump administration, reimposing sanctions on Iran. This decision was met with criticism from other signatories of the JCPOA, including the European Union, Russia, and China, who have sought to maintain the agreement.
Israel has consistently viewed Iran's nuclear program as an existential threat, citing Iran's repeated calls for Israel's destruction. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, such as energy production and medical research.
The current status of Iran's nuclear program remains a subject of debate. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to monitor Iran's nuclear activities, but its access has been limited since Iran began reducing its compliance with the JCPOA in response to U.S. sanctions. The future of the JCPOA and the broader issue of Iran's nuclear program remain uncertain, with potential implications for regional stability and international security.
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