Former President Donald Trump said he does not want Iran to obtain nuclear weapons during a televised press briefing in Washington, D.C. [1].
The statement underscores the ongoing tension between the U.S. and Iran regarding nuclear proliferation. Because a nuclear-armed Iran could shift the balance of power in the Middle East, the issue remains a central pillar of U.S. foreign policy, and national security strategy.
Speaking on April 14, 2026 [1], Trump said that the acquisition of such weapons by the Iranian government would destabilize the region and threaten U.S. security interests. He said the development of a nuclear arsenal must be prevented to avoid a wider conflict.
"I don't want Iran to have nuclear weapons," Trump said during the briefing [2].
Trump linked the potential for nuclear armament to a collapse in regional peace. He said that the presence of such weapons would create an environment of volatility that could trigger arms races among neighboring states.
"A nuclear Iran would be a disaster for regional stability," Trump said [3].
Trump said to reporters that the U.S. would employ all available means to ensure the Iranian program does not reach a point of weaponization. This stance aligns with long-standing efforts to restrict Iran's nuclear capabilities through sanctions, and diplomatic pressure.
"We will do everything we can to prevent Iran from getting a bomb," Trump said [4].
“"I don't want Iran to have nuclear weapons,"”
This position reinforces a consistent U.S. security objective to prevent nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. By framing a nuclear-armed Iran as a 'disaster' for stability, the rhetoric suggests a preference for a policy of maximum pressure or strict containment to ensure the region does not enter a nuclear arms race.
