US President Donald Trump has said that American forces may need to enter Iran to secure nuclear material believed to be buried under sites hit in recent strikes, raising the prospect of a new phase in the conflict.
“Now we're going to take a hit, because we have to make a journey down to Iran to take the nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday, referring to enriched uranium reportedly trapped beneath rubble after joint US-Israeli bombardments.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed the material remains “under the rubble,” with no immediate plans for recovery.
Trump claimed the strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities and said US forces are closely monitoring the sites to prevent Tehran from accessing the material.
Fragile ceasefire
The remarks come as Washington intensifies pressure on Tehran, combining military warnings with sweeping economic sanctions.
Trump said Iran’s leadership understands the consequences of escalation, warning that any ceasefire violations would prompt a response. “They know what to do and what not to do,” he said.
Trump said Iran "should save the white flag of surrender."
"If this were a fight, they'd stop it," said Trump.
He also argued that Iran is now seeking a deal due to mounting pressure, claiming its military capacity has been severely weakened.
At the same time, Trump pointed to economic strain inside Iran, citing high inflation and a collapsing currency as signs that US sanctions are taking effect.
Despite the tough rhetoric, the president said Washington still prefers to avoid further bloodshed, urging Tehran to reach an agreement.
"They should do the smart thing, because we don't want to go in and kill people. Really don't," he added.
