Trump rules out immediate US strikes on Iran but warns military action remains an option

US President Donald Trump has said Washington has no immediate plans to launch fresh strikes against Iran, while warning that American forces remain prepared to take military action if necessary.

In an interview, Trump described the current US position towards Tehran as a “brilliant situation”, claiming Washington was achieving its objectives through continued pressure and negotiations.

“We seem to be getting everything we want,” he said.

Asked about indications from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that an attack could take place later this week, Trump told US forces were ready but suggested another military operation might not be necessary.

“I’m ready, we’re ready. We’re locked and loaded if we need to go, but there may be no reason for it,” he told the newspaper.

Trump also rejected comparisons between the confrontation with Iran and major conventional wars, arguing that previous US military operations had significantly weakened Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.

Referring to earlier American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, he claimed the country's nuclear potential had been destroyed.

However, the president acknowledged continued concerns over Iran's estimated 1,000-pound stockpile of enriched uranium, describing the material as “nuclear dust”.

He said indirect discussions with Tehran over the stockpile were continuing, adding that he was not comfortable with the material remaining buried beneath rubble despite the damage caused by previous strikes.