Trump warns U.S. may strike Iran's nuclear sites again

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of future strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, following reports that three sites were badly damaged in June bombings.

President Donald Trump warned on Monday that the United States could strike Iran’s nuclear sites again “if necessary,” following remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that confirmed serious damage to three key facilities hit in U.S. strikes last month.

Speaking to Fox News, Araghchi said the Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear enrichment sites were severely damaged in the 22 June strikes, but emphasised that Iran would not abandon its enrichment programme, calling it “a question of national pride.”

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump responded: “Of course they are, just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary!”

The strikes came during a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel and were followed by a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. At the time, Trump claimed the attacks had “completely and fully obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme. However, a U.S. intelligence assessment later suggested the programme had only been set back by a few months. The White House rejected that finding, calling it “flat-out wrong.”

The renewed tensions come ahead of nuclear talks in Istanbul scheduled for Friday. Iranian officials will meet representatives from the UK, France and Germany — the E3 — as well as the EU’s foreign policy chief. Iran says the discussions will focus on sanctions relief and its peaceful nuclear activities.

Under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran accepted limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The U.S. withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Tehran to gradually ramp up its uranium enrichment.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran is enriching uranium up to 60% purity — near weapons-grade levels. Tehran insists its programme is purely civilian in nature.

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