The United States may ultimately prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon by destroying Tehran’s nuclear capabilities rather than reaching a negotiated agreement, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday, signaling that Washington is prepared to pursue its objectives even if diplomacy fails.
“There may not be a nuclear agreement. It may be simply destroying their capabilities to do it,” Wright said on ABC News’ “This Week.” “An agreement may await the next administration in Iran. We simply don’t know that.”
Wright’s remarks came as the U.S.-Iran conflict entered its seventh month and suggested that the Trump administration sees the destruction of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as an alternative to securing an agreement with Tehran.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is a central objective of the U.S. campaign. At the same time, his administration has continued to leave open the possibility of reaching a diplomatic settlement with Tehran as the prolonged conflict has disrupted energy markets and driven up fuel prices.
Asked whether U.S. forces would continue striking Iran if Tehran attempts to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure, Wright replied, “You have to destroy their capabilities to do it.”
“We are degrading their capacity to develop nuclear weapons and ultimately to deliver them if they develop them,” he said. “It is a 47-year-long effort. This is not trivial, but the United States will get the job done and we will work in cooperation with our allies in the region.”
Wright returned to the subject later Sunday during an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” where he stressed that the administration has not abandoned diplomacy.
Wright said the president’s preference “is always to have a negotiated settlement and not use a military solution unless absolutely necessary.”
The energy secretary also said that a major focus of the U.S. military campaign is now choking off Iran’s ability to sell energy products abroad.
“The biggest role of our military in the region right now is to stop the export of any Iranian crude or crude-related products, natural gas, whatever,” he said. “We are strangling their economy to try to bring either a change in policy from the existing regime or a new regime.”
The comments come amid a broader escalation of Washington’s economic pressure on Tehran. The Treasury Department last week launched “Operation Economic Outcast,” an effort Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described as aimed at economically isolating Iran and depriving its government of revenue.
The economic campaign has been accompanied by renewed American military action. U.S. forces resumed strikes against Iranian targets over the past week, including attacks in the vicinity of Qeshm Island, Chabahar and Bandar Abbas near the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump on Friday also raised the possibility of an American strike on Pickaxe Mountain, the heavily fortified Iranian underground facility associated with Tehran’s nuclear program.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump again said the United States would not permit Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
“Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” he said, before adding, “We may hit Pickaxe very soon…if there was anything going on with Pickaxe.”
Trump has also said that he does not expect the latest round of fighting with Iran to continue much longer.
Asked how long the renewed escalation might last, Trump responded, “Not too long”. He then suggested that Tehran’s ability to withstand continued American military pressure may be limited.
“I don’t think it will be very much longer. I don’t know how much more they can take,” Trump said of Iran.
{Matzav.com}
