US President Donald Trump has ruled out using nuclear weapons in the ongoing war against Iran, saying there is no reason for such an attack.
Trump made the remarks while responding to a journalist’s question, which he dismissed as “stupid,” arguing that Iran had already been completely defeated and questioning why the United States would need to use nuclear weapons.
Trump said the United States has no reason to launch a nuclear attack against Iran.
“Iran has been completely defeated, why should I use nuclear weapons?” Trump said, reiterating his position that the conflict does not warrant the use of nuclear weapons.
His comments come as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high following renewed military exchanges and continuing disputes over the Strait of Hormuz.
Strait of Hormuz in good condition
Trump also again claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is in much better condition and said shipping traffic through the strategically important waterway has continued.
According to the US president, an average of around 30 ships are passing through the Strait of Hormuz every night.
Recent US claims have pointed to growing traffic through a US-protected route, although the number of vessels and the extent of safe commercial shipping remain disputed. Axios previously reported that 20–30 tankers had been moving through the strait on some nights.
The US president also described Iran as a “failed state,” saying the country’s inflation rate had reached 350%. Trump claimed that Iran does not have enough money to pay its soldiers, but said the financial difficulties would not prevent the United States from carrying out further military action.
He indicated that Washington would continue to assess the situation and said it remained to be seen what would happen next.
Intermittent strikes on Iran
Meanwhile, Trump is considering a plan for limited and intermittent military strikes against Iran, according to Axios.
The reported plan is focused on preventing Iran from rebuilding military capabilities that could allow it to target ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the report, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has developed a plan to target Iranian facilities linked to the country’s ability to threaten shipping in the strategic waterway.
The proposed limited strikes would aim to prevent Iran from restoring its radar and missile capabilities. US officials are concerned that rebuilding these systems could give Tehran a greater ability to target commercial vessels and disrupt navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The reported operation would therefore focus on maintaining safe passage for ships rather than launching a broader campaign against Iran.
Hegseth supports limited strike plan
According to Axios, Trump has consulted his advisers about the possibility of carrying out limited attacks against Iran.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly supported the plan, while CENTCOM has developed the operational proposal and informed the White House about the possibility of intermittent strikes.
The plan had not been approved before the latest flare-up between the United States and Iran, according to the report.
Hormuz remains central to US-Iran conflict
The Strait of Hormuz has become a central focus of the US-Iran confrontation because of its importance to international energy and commercial shipping.
Washington has been working to restore freedom of navigation through the waterway, while Iran’s ability to threaten ships and rebuild radar and missile systems remains a major concern for the United States.
Recent US military operations have targeted Iranian capabilities around the strait, while Washington has also used protected shipping routes to facilitate the movement of commercial vessels.
The latest developments suggest that, despite Trump’s rejection of nuclear weapons, the United States is still considering further conventional military action to prevent Iran from regaining the ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
