US President Donald Trump delivered a firm warning to Tehran during an Oval Office meeting on Tuesday, declaring that the US has no intention of stopping its military operations against Iran anytime soon. Addressing reporters alongside Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Trump made it clear that Washington is not interested in resuming diplomatic negotiations until Iranian leadership is willing to offer significant concessions.
"The Iranians are desperate to meet with us and end this," Trump said during the meeting. "But until they are ready to do meaningful things, we are not interested in meeting with them."
War Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the president's firm stance on the situation. Hegseth clarified that Iran had been given every opportunity to negotiate in good faith prior to the current situation, but failed to take advantage of those chances.
When questioned about when the war with Iran might reach a conclusion, Trump emphasized that the military campaign remains fully active and far from over. He pointed out that even if military operations stopped today, it would take Tehran 20 to 25 years to rebuild its capabilities, which he noted was simply not enough of a safeguard for long-term security.
"We are really not done with the job, and we are not ready to leave at this stage," Trump stated. "If Iran continues to attack commercial ships, we will attack them 10 times harder."
Trump also directly addressed intelligence reports regarding Iran moving nuclear materials and centrifuges into the secret facility known as the Pickaxe Mountain. He confirmed that the location is high on the list of American military targets and will not be spared.
"We will hit that site hard, without a doubt," Trump declared. "Iran cannot reach a nuclear weapon, and every site that is nuclear will be hit hard."
The president noted that intelligence reports suggest a longer campaign against Iran may be required to achieve full security goals. However, he reaffirmed that the US military is prepared to sustain operations as long as necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring atomic weapons.
