Washington, March 3, Before deciding on military strikes against Iran, US President Donald Trump had already conveyed this message at least 74 times: Tehran cannot possess a nuclear weapon.
The White House said on Monday that Trump has been “unambiguous and consistent for decades” in stating that Iran will never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. It released a compilation of his statements spanning 15 years, beginning in November 2011.
The language rarely changed. The emphasis never did.
On February 24, 2026, Trump said: "After the 'Midnight Hammer' operation, they were warned not to attempt to rebuild their weapons program, particularly nuclear weapons, yet they continue to do so. They are starting over… One thing is certain: I will never allow the world's foremost sponsor of terrorism, which they are, to have a nuclear weapon."
Five days earlier, on February 19, 2026, he said: "They can't have nuclear weapons. It's very simple. You can't have peace in the Middle East if they have a nuclear weapon. And they can't have a nuclear weapon, and they have been strongly warned against it."
On February 13, 2026, he rejected enrichment outright: "We don't want any enrichment. We don't want enrichment."
Sometimes the remarks were brief, almost clipped.
On February 9, 2026: "No nuclear weapons..."
On February 6, 2026: "The one thing, and right up front — no nuclear weapons."
On January 29, 2026: "Number one, no nuclear."
On June 25, 2025, Trump said: "I have said that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon – I have said that for 15 years, long before I decided to pursue a political path."
This message goes back well before his presidency.
On November 3, 2024, he warned: "Iran can't have a nuclear weapon. Nuclear weapons are the greatest single threat to our country, but to the entire world."
On October 7, 2024, he said: "I only want one thing. You can't have a nuclear weapon. You cannot let them have a nuclear weapon."
On August 27, 2024, he added a regional warning: "They can't have a nuclear weapon. We just can't let them have a nuclear weapon. I will say this. If they do have a nuclear weapon, Israel is gone. It will be gone."
Further back, on January 6, 2020, Trump declared in capital letters: "IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!"
On June 22, 2019, he said: "Iran cannot have Nuclear Weapons!"
And on November 4, 2011, years before entering the White House, he stated: "We can't allow Iran to go nuclear."
Across rallies, interviews, and official statements, the phrasing shifted. The core demand did not. The White House described the position as rooted in longstanding American policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb.
Iran's nuclear program has dominated US policy in West Asia for more than a decade. Disputes over uranium enrichment, sanctions, and inspections have triggered diplomatic standoffs and periodic escalations.
