Trump on Iran: Preventing a nuke the 'number one goal'

Last year, the U.S. launched a series of strikes on Iran, dubbed "Operation Midnight Hammer," which were aimed at eliminating the country's nuclear program.

By Ben Whedon

Published: August 17, 2026 9:33am

President Donald Trump on Monday morning reiterated the primary objective of the ongoing Iran war, namely the prevention of Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

"The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he posted on Truth Social.

Last year, the U.S. launched a series of strikes on Iran, dubbed "Operation Midnight Hammer," which were aimed at eliminating the country's nuclear program. After the operation, Trump declared that it had been a success and Iran's nuclear program had been destroyed.

But the conflict renewed in February, with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The war was in a state of nominal ceasefire for weeks, but negotiations broke down and fighting resumed.

Trump has sought a concession from Iran to never possess a nuclear weapon, though it has been unwilling to agree to those terms, despite military pressure from Washington.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.