Trump Demands Total Dismantlement of Iran's Nuclear Program as Republicans Push for Full Dismantlement in Any Deal

President Donald Trump has reiterated his stance on Iran's nuclear program, demanding its total dismantlement. In recent statements, Trump emphasized that Iran will not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons and expressed hope that Tehran would make the right decision during what he described as a critical time for the country. He mentioned ongoing discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, indicating the urgency of the situation. Trump's comments come amid mixed signals from his administration regarding Iran's potential to enrich uranium for civilian purposes. While he has not made a final decision on this matter, Trump has suggested openness to discussions about civilian nuclear energy, though he remains skeptical about Iran's need for it given its oil reserves. He has also threatened to impose sanctions on any country or person buying Iranian oil or petrochemicals. In response, Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for Iran's atomic energy organization, asserted Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy, stating that Trump cannot dictate Iran's nuclear policy. Similarly, the Russian Foreign Ministry, through spokesperson Maria Zakharova, defended Iran's legal right to develop civil nuclear energy programs, aligning with other non-nuclear weapon states. Meanwhile, prominent Senate and House Republicans are circulating letters to Trump, insisting that any nuclear deal with Iran must include the full dismantlement of its nuclear program. These letters argue that Iran's nuclear advancements have made reliable monitoring and verification impossible, highlighting the need for a more stringent approach than the 2015 nuclear deal. The letters are led by Senators Pete Ricketts and Ted Cruz, and Representative August Pfluger.