Trump rules out nuclear strike on Iran, calls it ‘stupid question’

US President Donald Trump has categorically ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, dismissing the idea as irresponsible and calling the question itself “stupid” during a brief exchange with reporters.

When asked directly whether he was considering a nuclear strike on Iran, Trump responded firmly, “No,” before sharply pushing back on the framing of the question. “No. Why would a stupid question like that be asked?” he said.

He further added, “Why would I use a nuclear weapon when we’ve totally decimated Iran without it? A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody.”

His remarks come amid heightened US-Iran tensions and ongoing geopolitical friction over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Nuclear standoff and competing claims

Trump has consistently demanded the complete dismantling of Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, including the removal of its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60%.

Over the past month, the United States conducted strikes on multiple Iranian nuclear facilities, with Trump administration officials claiming that key nuclear infrastructure had been “obliterated.” However, Iranian authorities have repeatedly rejected these assertions, insisting that their nuclear capabilities remain intact and strategically significant.

Tehran has also maintained a hard line during the fragile ceasefire period, which has now been extended. Iranian officials have ruled out transferring enriched uranium abroad.

“Iran’s enriched uranium is not going to be transferred anywhere; transferring uranium to the United States has not been an option for us,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in response to Trump’s earlier remarks suggesting otherwise.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also dismissed Trump’s statements, accusing him of making repeated false claims. “The President of the United States made seven claims in one hour, all seven of which were false,” he wrote on X. “They did not win the war with these lies, and they will certainly not get anywhere in negotiations either.”

As rhetoric intensifies on both sides, diplomatic prospects remain uncertain, with both Washington and Tehran standing firm on sharply divergent narratives of recent military and nuclear developments.