The Trump administration is seeking the “full dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear program as it ramps up a U.S. military campaign in the Middle East, White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said Sunday on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
“Iran has to give up its program in a way that the entire world can see,” Waltz said. “It is time for Iran to walk away completely from its desire to have a nuclear weapon, and they will not and cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapons program. That is its weaponization and its strategic missiles program.”
Waltz’s comments came after President Trump vowed to hold Iran responsible for any future attacks carried out by the Yemen-based Houthi rebel group, which has carried out strikes on military and commercial ships in the Red Sea since Israel declared war on Hamas in Gaza. The effectiveness of their strikes has been mixed but disrupts what the Trump administration considers a critical trade route through the Suez Canal. Both Hamas and the Houthis, designated terrorist organizations by the U.S., are backed by Iran.
Speaking about Iran’s nuclear program and echoing some of Mr. Trump’s previous threats, Waltz on Sunday warned Iran: “Give it up, or there will be consequences.” He emphasized that the U.S. seeks to dismantle the “full program.”
CBS News
“We’ve seen the death and destruction that it’s doing through its proxies,” said Waltz, referencing Iran’s support for groups such as the Houthis. “If they had nuclear weapons, the entire Middle East would explode in an arms race. And that is completely unacceptable for our national security.“
Waltz noted that, “of course,” there are still opportunities for diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran.
Earlier this month, President Trump authorized a series of escalating airstrikes targeting Houthi positions, emphasizing in a Truth Social post his intention to “use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective,” which is to restore safe shipping routes in the region.
Simultaneously, Trump has called on Iran to engage in talks over its advancing nuclear program. Two weeks ago, he revealed he sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proposing a deal to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, aiming to avoid military intervention. This came after a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in February that showed a significant increase in Iran’s high-enriched uranium production, signaling a major development in its nuclear efforts since Trump’s second term began.
In response to the letter, Khamenei addressed the nation, warning that “threats will get them nowhere when confronting Iran.” He added that if any country harms Iran, “they will get a hard slap.” Despite global concerns, Iran has consistently denied accusations that its nuclear program is intended to develop weapons.
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