US President Donald Trump has said Iran has “virtually” given up plans to acquire a nuclear weapon, while indicating that Washington has yet to make a final decision on its next steps towards Tehran.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump said US economic pressure and military action had significantly weakened Iran’s capabilities.
“Iran, as you know, has virtually given up any plans of a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. He also said that oil prices were falling and reiterated that the United States would not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Trump said US military operations had damaged Iran’s nuclear capabilities and described the country’s military and economic position as significantly weakened.
He also criticised previous Democratic administrations, arguing that they had failed to prevent Iran from developing the capability to build a nuclear weapon.
The US president said there could be no compromise on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and indicated that the conflict could end either through an agreement or continued military action.
Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons
Iran has consistently rejected US and Israeli accusations that it is pursuing nuclear weapons.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated during his visit to New York last month that Tehran does not seek nuclear weapons, citing religious considerations, while offering international verification of aspects of Iran's nuclear programme.
Tehran has maintained that it has the right to pursue a peaceful civilian nuclear programme and has linked any major concessions to the lifting of US economic sanctions.
Secret Camp David meeting on Iran and Yemen
Meanwhile, senior Trump administration officials held an unannounced meeting at Camp David on Friday to discuss the war with Iran and the Saudi-Houthi conflict in Yemen, according to Axios.
The meeting was chaired by Vice President JD Vance and reportedly lasted several hours. It was not publicly announced by the administration.
Those reported to have attended included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, special envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine.
According to Axios, the meeting came as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remained stalled and the Trump administration considered its options for the next phase of the conflict.
The report noted that a similar high-level meeting took place in June 2025, shortly before Israel went to war with Iran.
Washington faces a decision on Iran
Trump has repeatedly indicated that he is weighing diplomacy against further military action.
In recent remarks, he said the United States could either reach an agreement with Tehran or continue military pressure, while suggesting that the conflict could be brought to an end relatively soon.
The latest developments come amid continuing tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and the security of the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington and Tehran remain far apart on the terms of a potential settlement.
