Trump Says Iran Could Be Hit ‘Hard’ Tonight, Nuclear Program May Be Dismantled Without Talks

President Donald Trump said the US could dismantle Iran’s nuclear weapons capability without separate negotiations.

Reuters reported that Trump made the remarks on July 8 at a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Turkey. “Maybe we’ll hit them hard tonight,” he said, referring to Iran.

Asked whether full-scale war with Iran would resume, Trump said Tehran violates agreements every day. He accused Iran of cheating, lying and killing people for 47 years.

Trump said the aim of the war is to ensure Tehran never acquires nuclear weapons. He said he did not know whether the US would reach an agreement with Iran and added that Washington could act without negotiations. Even if there is a deal, he said, he is not confident Iran would honor it because “they are very dishonorable people.”

He also raised the possibility of strikes on Iran’s core infrastructure. The US would take out Iran’s power and water infrastructure if necessary, Trump said. He added that he would prefer not to do that, but would if needed.

Trump also left open the possibility of a military operation targeting Kharg Island. The island is a key hub through which about 90% of Iran’s crude oil passes. He said the US military could take control of Kharg Island and that he had instructed forces not to attack pipelines but to strike everything else.