President Donald Trump issued a scathing address condemnation of the Iranian regime for the deterioration of its country and the whole region in Saudi Arabia, threatening ‘maximum pressure.’ During his first major speech in Saudi Arabia, Trump warned Tehran that it must choose between never having a nuclear weapon or facing his wrath. ‘If Iran’s leadership rejects the olive branch and continues to attack their neighbors, then we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure,’ Trump declared to business leaders in Riyadh.
The president also emphasized Iran’s negative impact on the region, accusing the Islamic Republic of dragging down an entire Middle Eastern region with its actions. This was highlighted through references to the downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria, which he claimed was supported by Iran, and the destruction of Beirut, once called the ‘Paris of the Middle East,’ attributed to Iran’s backing of Hezbollah. Trump argued that these events were ‘entirely avoidable,’ suggesting that Iran’s aggressive policies could have been prevented through different leadership.
In addition to the regional instability, Trump linked Iran’s nuclear program to the deadly October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, blaming the country’s support for Hamas. He pointed to the Biden administration’s decision to lift some sanctions on Iran as a contributing factor to its ability to fund terrorist groups. While Trump expressed a desire to reach a deal with Iran and see the country prosper, his speech made it clear that he would not hesitate to apply pressure if Iran did not cooperate. This approach adds uncertainty to the ongoing nuclear negotiations, which remain in limbo as Iran has yet to respond to Trump’s demands.
Trump’s rhetoric has drawn criticism from some quarters for its potential to further inflame tensions in the Middle East, and the lack of an immediate response from Iran raises concerns about the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts to resolve the standoff. The president’s speech also serves to underline his administration’s stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which has been a central point of contention in recent geopolitical discussions.