President Trump warned Iran it could be struck "really hard" if nuclear negotiations collapse, saying military action remains an option but diplomacy is preferred. He said he postponed a planned strike after regional requests for more talks and described the planned attack as potentially the largest since World War II. Iranian officials deny direct U.S. talks and say negotiations are being handled through mediators in Oman, while the Associated Press reported progress between Iranian and Omani officials. Trump also renewed criticism of past administrations and the 2015 nuclear deal.
Trump Warns Iran Could Be Struck "Really Hard" If Nuclear Talks Collapse Again
President Donald Trump warned that the United States would strike Iran "really hard" if negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program collapse.
President Donald Trump renewed a stark warning to Iran, saying the United States could strike Tehran "really hard" if nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran collapse again. He made the remarks in an interview with Fox News correspondent Trace Gallagher, stressing that military action remains an option if diplomacy fails.
"If they back out again, they're going to get hit really hard. They know that. They understand that. I have no choice. They can't have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple," Trump said.
Why This Matters
Trump said he had postponed a planned military strike—describing it as potentially "the biggest since World War II"—after Iran and several Middle Eastern governments asked for more time to negotiate. He framed the use of force as a last resort: "The hard hit is yet to come, and hopefully we won't have to use it."
President Donald Trump said military action against Iran remains an option if negotiations fail.
Talks, Mediators and the Strait of Hormuz
Administration officials say negotiators will first focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and then tackle Iran's nuclear program. Iranian officials have publicly denied direct talks with the U.S., saying any discussions are being conducted through intermediaries in Oman. The Associated Press has reported that Iranian and Omani officials made significant progress toward a potential agreement, though talks were described as ongoing.
Trump, while calling recent negotiations "very good," also criticized Tehran's public denials. "They don't like to admit that... It's just such a lie," he said, adding that public statements matter less than concrete results.
A composite image shows President Donald Trump alongside an Iranian flag and a missile launch.
Political Context
The president reiterated his long-standing criticism of previous administrations and the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama, saying: "It should have been done by many presidents over many years, and it wasn't, and I'm doing it. Obama was taken to the cleaners." He also described the current round of talks as Iran's "last chance" to avoid escalation.
What Comes Next: Trump said he was in no rush to abandon diplomacy—"I have plenty of time," he said—but kept military options on the table if negotiations break down.
Reporting note: Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
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