US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Monday that Washington could launch further military strikes if Tehran attempts to revive its nuclear program, as he held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Florida residence.
Trump, who previously said US strikes in June had left Iran’s nuclear capabilities “completely and fully obliterated,” suggested there were signs Tehran might be trying to rebuild parts of the program outside known sites. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate with Netanyahu beside him, Trump said the United States would respond forcefully if that proves true.
“Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again,” Trump told reporters. “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.”
At a later news conference, Trump said he could authorize another strike if suspected activity is confirmed. “If it’s confirmed, they know the consequences, and the consequences will be very powerful, maybe more powerful than the last time,” he said.
Iran has insisted it is no longer enriching uranium at any site and has sought to signal openness to renewed negotiations. The Iranian mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to Trump’s remarks. Israeli officials, meanwhile, have voiced concern in local media about Iran rebuilding long-range missile capabilities that could threaten Israel.
The warning came as Trump said he wants to push ahead with the next phase of the US-brokered Israel-Hamas ceasefire, while stressing that Hamas must be disarmed. The truce has largely held, but progress toward a second phase has slowed amid mutual accusations of violations and disagreements over the path forward.
The first phase of the ceasefire began in October, two years after the Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people. Nearly all of the 251 hostages taken during that assault have since been released, alive or dead.
Netanyahu, who also met separately with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has indicated he is not rushing into the next phase while the remains of hostage Ran Gvili are still in Gaza. Trump said Gvili’s family, whom he met in Florida, is still waiting for their son to be returned.
The proposed second phase envisions rebuilding a demilitarized Gaza under international supervision, with a Palestinian technocratic committee managing daily affairs and a multinational stabilization force providing security. Key elements, including the composition and mandate of that force, remain unresolved, according to officials briefed on the discussions.
Trump and Netanyahu, who praised each other during the visit, also touched on domestic Israeli politics. Netanyahu said Israel’s education ministry would award Trump the Israel Prize, breaking with past convention. Trump again urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, who is on trial in multiple corruption cases.
“He’s a wartime prime minister who’s a hero. How do you not give a pardon?” Trump said.
Herzog’s office later said any decision on the pardon request would follow established legal procedures.
Source: AP/UNB