“The Pope must understand that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Otherwise every country, including Italy where the Pope lives, would be at risk. Iran will not have atomic weapons; it has agreed,” Donald Trump said, attempting to defuse tensions after attacks on Pope Leo XIV while maintaining his stance toward the pontiff, who was recently criticized for a perceived ‘soft’ approach to Iran. The US president also announced further progress in talks with Tehran aimed at ending the war. “The Pope must understand,” Trump repeated, attributing statements to the pontiff that he did not actually make.
“I disagree with the Pope”
“I have nothing against the Pope, there is no confrontation with him. The Pope made a statement, saying ‘Iran can have a nuclear weapon.’ I say Iran cannot have it,” the US president said before flying to Las Vegas for an event. Trump, who over the past two days criticized Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, also indirectly referenced Italy: “It would be at risk like any country” if Tehran gained access to atomic weapons.
“I have the right to disagree with the Pope. He has the right to say what he wishes; I want him to say what he wants. But I have the right to disagree. The Pope must understand one very simple thing: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon – the world would be in grave danger. I am the president of the United States and as such I cannot allow Iran to have atomic weapons, that’s all. They will not have them,” he said. According to Trump’s remarks, the United States and Iran are close to a comprehensive agreement.
“Deal with Iran within reach”
“We have an agreement on many points,” he said before suggesting a potential breakthrough: Tehran – which has not confirmed this – has agreed to abandon its uranium enrichment program. “Iran will not have atomic weapons; it has agreed.” The Islamic Republic, the president added, “has agreed to return” what Trump called “nuclear dust” – it is unclear whether he was referring to the roughly 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% produced so far. According to Trump, Iran’s renunciation of the nuclear program would be total: “There is no 20-year limit; they will not have nuclear weapons,” he said, ruling out a time-limited pause.
Overall, the president painted an optimistic picture. “We’re doing very well; the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is working – no ship even thinks of violating it,” he said, referring to the waterway that accounts for about 20% of global oil trade. “Iran wants a deal. The Iranians don’t have much left; the new leaders are reasonable. Iran is willing to do today things it wasn’t willing to do two months ago. Markets are doing well; oil prices are falling.” He added that another round of negotiations would probably be needed – “probably over the weekend.” When asked what would happen if no agreement is reached, he warned “we’d start fighting again,” then softened the remark: “We have many agreements with Iran; I think something positive could happen soon.” Trump said Pakistan is mediating the talks and that he would consider attending a signing in Islamabad: “If the deal were signed in Islamabad, I could go. Yes, I’d go – they want me to go,” the president said.
Read also