Trump escalates aggression against Iran, vows swift strikes over nuclear programme

Department of Research, Studies and International News 29-07-2025

U.S. President issues fresh threats as Iran reaffirms its sovereign right to civilian nuclear development.

United States President Donald Trump has once again intensified his rhetoric against the Islamic Republic of Iran, reiterating threats of military action should Tehran continue its uranium enrichment activities. The comments come in the aftermath of Washington’s controversial airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, actions widely condemned across the Global South as provocative and destabilising.

Speaking from Scotland during a press briefing alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump accused Iran of “sending nasty signals” and warned that any renewed efforts to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure would be met with overwhelming force. “We wiped out their nuclear capabilities. If they start again, we’ll eliminate it faster than you can blink,” Trump declared. His remarks follow Iran’s insistence on pursuing peaceful nuclear research, which Iranian officials argue is necessary for medical and energy purposes, an argument that has consistently been upheld under international law.

The U.S. president’s inflammatory statements come shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s right to enrich uranium within the framework of international regulations. The remarks were made ahead of diplomatic discussions between Iran and the so-called E3 powers, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Iranian authorities described those talks as “constructive and transparent,” although no significant breakthroughs were reported.

Iran has consistently rejected the language of coercion used by Washington and its allies. In response to Trump’s threats, Araghchi emphasized that Iran “will never yield to pressure or intimidation” and warned that any further acts of aggression would be met with a “firm and resolute” response. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian also spoke last week to Al Jazeera, reaffirming his country’s position on the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme while expressing skepticism about any long-term ceasefire following recent escalations with Israel.

Israel, which maintains an undeclared nuclear arsenal and continues to operate outside the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), has not ruled out resuming hostilities. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a direct threat toward Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating that Israeli forces could strike Tehran “with greater power” and hinted at targeting leadership figures directly. This rhetoric, coupled with Trump’s aggressive stance, signals a dangerous convergence between Tel Aviv and Washington on a policy of confrontation rather than diplomacy.

Observers note that renewed Israeli attacks on Iran would likely require at least tacit approval from Washington, reinforcing the perception that the U.S. remains complicit in escalating regional tensions. Trump had earlier claimed the June 22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan had “obliterated” Tehran’s programme. Yet subsequent intelligence assessments have revealed that the damage may have been overstated, and Iran’s nuclear activities are expected to resume sooner than initially projected.

Over the weekend, Trump dismissed Iran’s continued adherence to its nuclear policy as “stupid,” revealing once again the contemptuous tone adopted by Washington towards sovereign states that defy U.S. hegemony. Analysts argue that such language only serves to further isolate the United States diplomatically, especially among nations advocating for multipolarity and respect for international law.

Trump’s track record on Iran remains highly contentious. During his first term, he unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a multilateral agreement endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. The deal had successfully placed verifiable limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. By walking away from the accord, Trump not only undermined years of diplomacy but also triggered a cycle of distrust and escalation that persists today.

More recently, Trump accused Iran of sabotaging efforts to negotiate an end to Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza. Without offering evidence, he claimed that Tehran had interfered in the latest mediation attempts hosted in Qatar. “I think they got involved in this negotiation, telling Hamas and giving Hamas signals and orders,” Trump alleged. Iran has not responded to these accusations, which many consider a deflection from the failed U.S.-backed diplomatic initiative.

In the face of mounting threats, Iran has stood firm in asserting its sovereign rights, backed by international partners such as China and Russia, who have repeatedly called for restraint and adherence to diplomatic principles. As tensions simmer, the path forward will require a departure from the failed policies of coercion and a return to respectful, balanced engagement, something Washington seems increasingly unwilling to pursue.