Trump says force remains option

Reuters February 28, 2026 Less than a minute read

US President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a press briefing at the White House, following the Supreme Court's ruling that Trump had exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs, in Washington, DC, US, February 20, 2026. Photo: Reuters

WASHINGTON:

US President Donald Trump warned on Friday that military force against Iran remained an option, declaring “sometimes you have to” use it, even as he said he preferred to strike a deal with Tehran over its nuclear programme.

Speaking to reporters as he left the White House for Texas, Trump said he was dissatisfied with Iran’s stance and accused it of refusing to renounce nuclear weapons ambitions. “We want no nuclear weapons by Iran and they’re not saying those golden words,” he said.

Trump spoke a day after talks in Geneva between US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian officials ended without agreement. Trump confirmed that further discussions on Iran would take place later in the day, without specifying participants.