President Trump Rules Out Nuclear Strike on Iran, Stresses Conventional Options Only
The US president says Washington has no need for nuclear arms, while officials continue reviewing possible conventional military options amid regional instability.
Washington — President Donald Trump has publicly ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, saying the United States does not need them and that any large conventional munitions under discussion remain strictly non-nuclear.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmax on Thursday, Trump addressed speculation that his administration had considered employing an extremely powerful conventional bomb against Iranian targets. He emphasized that the weapon commonly referred to as the "mother of all bombs" is not nuclear. "The mother of all bombs is not nuclear," he said. "This is just an extremely large bomb." When asked directly whether he would consider nuclear weapons, he replied, "No, I wouldn't use nuclear. We don't have to."
The statement comes as tensions involving Iran and its regional partners remain elevated. Houthi forces in Yemen, widely regarded as aligned with Tehran, have intensified attacks on Saudi infrastructure and on the seat of Yemen's internationally recognized government in the southern port city of Aden. In one recent strike, missiles and drones hit the presidential palace complex, killing several people. At the same time, commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz has faced repeated threats, with vessels struck by projectiles in recent days. These actions have raised fears of further disruption to oil supplies and global trade routes.
Trump's comments appear intended to set a clear boundary while still leaving open the possibility of conventional military action. Administration officials have said they continue to review a range of strike options, including the potential use of large conventional munitions, but no final decision has been announced. By explicitly rejecting nuclear weapons, the president has sought to quiet concerns that the conflict could cross into more extreme territory.
The wider confrontation has already had practical effects beyond the battlefield. Energy markets have reacted to the risk of prolonged disruption in the Gulf, and some shipping companies have adjusted routes or increased security measures. Saudi-led coalition forces have intercepted multiple missiles and drones aimed at Saudi territory, while the Houthis have claimed responsibility for strikes on what they describe as Saudi military positions. The situation has also drawn in other regional actors and complicated efforts to stabilize energy flows.
Trump has repeatedly linked the conflict to energy prices and the desire to avoid a drawn-out war that could further push up costs for American consumers. His latest remarks on nuclear weapons fit into that broader framing: he has argued that the United States possesses sufficient conventional capabilities and does not need to escalate to nuclear means. At the same time, he has left open the possibility that military pressure could still be applied if attacks by Iranian-aligned groups continue.
No immediate strike was ordered following the interview. U.S. officials have indicated that contingency planning is ongoing and that diplomatic channels, though limited, have not been fully closed. The president's public position remains that any use of force, should it occur, will stay within conventional limits.
The situation continues to evolve. Additional attacks by Houthi or other Iranian-aligned forces, or any new U.S. military response, could still change the trajectory of the conflict in the coming days. For now, Trump has drawn a clear line against nuclear weapons while the rest of the confrontation remains unresolved.