President Donald Trump on Thursday declined to say whether an Israeli attack on Iran was imminent but acknowledged it “could happen” as tensions rise over Tehran’s nuclear program and the U.S. prepares evacuation plans for Americans in the Middle East.
“I don’t want to say imminent, but it looks like it’s something that could very well happen,” Trump said. “Look, it’s very simple, not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
He added that aside from this concern, he wished success for Iran and would be willing to engage in trade and other forms of cooperation if the issue of nuclear weapons was resolved.
Ultimately, Trump said he hoped to avoid conflict but warned that Iran would need to be more flexible in negotiations. “They’re going to have to give us some things that they’re not willing to give us right now,” he said, referencing Iran’s refusal to give up its nuclear enrichment capabilities.
Trump also stated that the U.S. and Iran were “fairly close to a pretty good agreement,” but insisted the terms needed to be improved.
On Wednesday, Trump told reporters that the U.S. had initiated evacuation efforts in the Middle East due to the potential dangers stemming from the uncertain status of nuclear negotiations with Iran. “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place,” he said. “We’ve given notice to move out, and we’ll see what happens.”
These comments followed an order for the partial evacuation of non-emergency U.S. government personnel from the U.S. embassy in Iraq. Military dependents across the Middle East were also authorized to leave voluntarily.
While initial reports suggested similar evacuation orders were issued in Bahrain and Kuwait, the U.S. embassy in Bahrain denied any change in posture, and no notices were posted in Kuwait. Embassies in the region were directed to convene emergency action committees and update Washington on risk mitigation efforts. No U.S. troops have been withdrawn from the Middle East at this time.
The State Department did not comment on why Iraq was specifically identified as a higher-risk area. Bahrain hosts the largest number of American military families, though no evacuations or changes in military posture have been reported there.
Trump explained that the evacuation warnings were precautionary. “We have a lot of American people in this area,” he said. “And I said, we got to tell them to get out because something could happen soon, and I don’t want to be the one that didn’t give any warning and missiles are flying into their buildings. It’s possible. So I had to do it.”
Asked how the U.S. could ease tensions, Trump reiterated his core message: “They can’t have a nuclear weapon. Very simply, they can’t have a nuclear weapon. We’re not going to allow that.”
The status of the negotiations remains uncertain. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Oman on Sunday for a sixth round of direct and indirect talks with Iran, according to Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi.
The talks have become increasingly difficult, with recent disagreements centering on uranium enrichment levels. The U.S. insists Iran should abandon all enrichment programs, even for civilian energy, which currently accounts for less than 1% of Iran’s energy supply.
Iran has refused to cease enrichment and has substantially increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in recent months. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported a 35% rise in Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%, increasing from about 605.8 pounds in February to 900.8 pounds by mid-May.
An assessment by the Institute for Science and International Security this week suggested that Iran could produce enough weapons-grade uranium for at least one nuclear warhead in two to three days at its Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. The report also indicated that Iran could potentially produce nine nuclear weapons within three weeks and up to 22 warheads in five months if coordinating efforts with its Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant.
This week, the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in nearly two decades. The board may refer the matter to the U.N. Security Council, which could impose severe snapback sanctions on Tehran.
Only three countries—Russia, China, and Burkina Faso—objected to the breach declaration, despite evidence of highly enriched uranium and Tehran’s refusal to grant full IAEA access to its nuclear facilities, violating the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran remains bound to the deal, although it has largely unraveled since the U.S. withdrew from the agreement in 2018 during Trump’s first term.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, stating, “There are plenty of indications that [Iran has] been moving their way towards something that would look a lot like a nuclear weapon.” His remarks contrasted with those of the Director of National Intelligence, who earlier this year asserted that Iran is not actively building a nuclear weapon.