US President Donald Trump described Iranians as “nuts” and “crazy people” during an interview with NBC News on Sunday, while defending his hardline approach toward Tehran and insisting that Washington must prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.Speaking in an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press, Trump said the United States was acting to prevent a global catastrophe.“I had to stop a country, very powerful, very dangerous country, from having a nuclear weapon because they’d use it. They’d blow up the world. They’d blow up the Middle East. They’d blow up Israel. They’d come here. They’d blow up Europe,” Trump said.He added, “They’re nuts, okay? They’re crazy people. I deal with them. And very high-strung people. A little crazy.”Despite the remarks, Trump also said he personally “likes” Iranians and framed US policy as a protective measure.“And get along with them. I like them. But you don’t want to let them have a nuclear weapon,” he said. “And I’m doing the world a service, but I’m doing our country a service, you know? It’s America first. I’m doing our country a service.”
US push for Iran nuclear deal
The comments came as Trump outlined what he described as progress toward a possible agreement with Tehran over its nuclear programme.Trump said the US could work with Iran to retrieve and destroy highly enriched uranium if a deal is reached, or otherwise act unilaterally to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities.“If we make a deal that now we’re friendly, we’ll all go together. It’ll be our equipment. We’ll take it out and destroy it,” Trump said in the interview.He added that if talks fail, the US would respond “very harshly” through military action.Trump also said Iran had already conceded key ground in negotiations.“They’ve conceded the fact that they will not have nuclear weapons,” he said, adding that the two sides were “very close” to a pact.
Trump contrasts diplomacy with military pressure
Trump described a dual-track approach combining negotiations and military deterrence, saying US forces could remain in the region until the issue is resolved.He also repeated his claim that Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities have been significantly weakened.“We have totally destroyed their military,” he said, while acknowledging Iran still retains missiles and drones.Trump said US surveillance capabilities, including “cameras up in space,” were being used to monitor developments in Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.The interview comes amid ongoing conflict-related tensions in the region, including continued US-Iran hostilities and broader instability in West Asia following strikes and counter-strikes between Iran, Israel and US forces.Trump has consistently argued that Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, linking the issue to regional security concerns involving Israel, Europe and the United States.Despite the sharp rhetoric, Trump said he still sees a diplomatic path forward and suggested a deal could bring broader stability and economic benefits.“We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. Can’t do it. And we won’t do it,” he said.