Trump says US ‘locked and loaded’ while seeking talks with Iran, warns against nuclear weapons

Former President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a "massive attack" against Iran, significantly larger than previous operations, as a protracted conflict continues to destabilize the Middle East. This consideration follows weeks of escalating military actions between the U.S. and Iran, with tensions exacerbated by Iran's rejection of a recent ceasefire proposal and ongoing attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea. The Trump administration is also reportedly re-evaluating regime change in Iran as diplomatic efforts have faltered.

Amidst this regional instability, the Trump administration has advanced a controversial 30-year agreement with Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear program utilizing American technology. Critics express significant concern that this deal could enable Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium domestically, potentially initiating a nuclear arms race across the Middle East, particularly given Riyadh's past statements regarding its nuclear ambitions should Iran acquire such capabilities.

The timing of the Saudi nuclear deal is seen by some analysts as a strategic move by the Trump administration to intensify pressure on Iran, signaling a shift in U.S. foreign policy to bolster Iran's regional rivals. Adding further complexity, President Trump recently conditioned the nuclear agreement on Saudi Arabia normalizing diplomatic ties with Israel through the Abraham Accords, a demand that could complicate the deal's progression as Saudi Arabia has historically linked such normalization to progress toward a Palestinian state. Meanwhile, attempts to renegotiate a nuclear deal with Iran in 2025 and 2026 have been unsuccessful, with Iran blaming the stalled talks on the United States' approach.