Washington: US President Donald Trump on Monday warned that the United States would take necessary action if Iran failed to comply with any future agreement reached between the two countries, emphasizing that preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a higher priority than concerns about potential economic repercussions.
Speaking during the signing of two Executive Orders related to quantum technology at the White House, Trump said the US would not hesitate to respond if Iran violated its commitments.
“If Iran doesn’t live up to their agreement, or if they’re not behaving, I will do what I have to do,” Trump told reporters. He added that continued cooperation from Tehran would help maintain stability and prevent further tensions.
Addressing concerns that military action against Iran could trigger a global economic downturn, Trump dismissed such fears, arguing that the threat posed by nuclear weapons far outweighs the risks of economic disruption.
“Depression is real bad, but a nuclear weapon will cause depression much more quickly,” he said, reiterating that preventing nuclear proliferation remains a central objective of his administration’s foreign policy.
The President also made clear that military options remain available should Iran fail to honor any eventual agreement, underscoring Washington’s determination to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
Trump’s remarks came after he echoed Vice President JD Vance’s assessment that Iran may be willing to accept extensive weapons inspections as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts. The latest round of discussions between US and Iranian officials took place in Switzerland under a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at addressing regional security and nuclear concerns.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that Iran would agree to stringent inspections designed to ensure long-term transparency regarding its nuclear activities.
“Everybody is fully aware that Iran will agree to have major weapons inspections in order to ensure ‘nuclear honesty’ long into the future,” Trump wrote.
Earlier, Vice President JD Vance described the latest round of negotiations in Switzerland as productive and expressed optimism about the prospects for a final agreement. Speaking to reporters at the Burgenstock resort, Vance said the talks had established a strong foundation for further progress.
“We laid a very good foundation for a successful final deal,” he said, noting that discussions had advanced mechanisms related to regional stability and oversight of Iran’s nuclear program.
Vance also claimed that Iran had agreed to allow nuclear inspectors into the country, calling it a significant step toward ensuring that Tehran does not pursue nuclear weapons development.
However, Iranian officials disputed those assertions.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would continue under existing safeguards agreements and in accordance with decisions made by Iran’s Parliament and the Supreme National Security Council.
In remarks carried by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Baqaei stated that Tehran’s interactions with the IAEA would proceed according to established legal and regulatory frameworks, indicating that Iran had not formally committed to any new inspection arrangements beyond its current obligations.
The differing interpretations offered by Washington and Tehran highlight the challenges that remain in ongoing diplomatic efforts. While both sides have signaled a willingness to continue dialogue, significant questions regarding nuclear oversight, inspections, and regional security remain unresolved.
The next phase of negotiations is expected to play a crucial role in determining whether a comprehensive agreement can be reached and sustained.