Trump Envisions Iran Deal Allowing Destruction of Nuclear Infrastructure, Sparking Tehran's Rejection

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he envisions a nuclear agreement with Iran that would grant the United States sweeping authority to destroy nuclear infrastructure, including laboratories, without causing casualties—an approach that drew immediate pushback from Iranian leadership.

Speaking at the White House, Trump outlined his vision of a deal he described as “very strong,” involving intrusive inspections and the right to dismantle facilities at will. “We can go in with inspectors. We can take whatever we want. We can blow up whatever we want. But nobody getting killed,” he said.

Trump added that negotiations with Iran were progressing and that a deal could be finalized “within the next couple of weeks.” He emphasized that “a lot of progress” had been made, though his comments about physically destroying Iranian facilities under a potential agreement underscored a critical divide between the two countries—particularly over Iran’s continued uranium enrichment.

Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dismissed Trump’s remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday, calling them a delusion shared by previous U.S. administrations. “Accessing Iran’s nuclear sites and ‘blowing up infrastructure’ is a fantasy past U.S. presidents shared. Iran is independent, with strong defenses, resilient people, and clear red lines,” Shamkhani stated. “Talks serve progress, interests, and dignity, not coercion or surrender.”

It remains unclear whether U.S. negotiators have formally presented the demand for unilateral dismantlement rights in the ongoing talks with Iran.

Trump’s statements came in response to reports that Israel is reviving plans for a potential military strike on Iran. He said he had advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against such action, warning that it could derail the ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Instead, Trump proposed a clause in a prospective agreement that would allow for targeted U.S. strikes on nuclear weapons infrastructure. “We can blow up a lab, but nobody’s going to be in the lab, as opposed to everybody being in the lab and blowing it up, right?” he said.

The concept echoes post-Gulf War enforcement measures, when the United Nations mandated inspections and the destruction of Iraqi nuclear and chemical weapons facilities.

Iranian officials have repeatedly emphasized that their nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, including power generation, and have warned against military threats from the U.S. or its allies.

Earlier Wednesday, Iranian authorities said they were considering allowing American nationals to join International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection teams under a future agreement, a shift from their previous position of excluding U.S. inspectors. However, Trump’s statements may prompt Tehran to reassess that potential concession.

Despite the sharp differences, Trump maintained optimism about reaching a deal. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has been leading the negotiations.

“They still have to agree to the final stages of a document, but I think you could be very well surprised what happens there, and it would be a great thing for them,” Trump said. “They could have a great country into the future.”

Iranian Foreign Minister and lead negotiator Abbas Araghchi, following talks in Rome on Friday, indicated that progress might be achieved in the upcoming negotiation rounds.