Trump refuses to delay attack on Iran despite Treasury Secretary's request
Quick Look
- US President Donald Trump said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asked him to delay the attack on Iran, but he refused, fearing that otherwise Iran would have nuclear weapons within a month.
- Trump quoted Bessent's request at the Republican convention in Dallas.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Tehran and Washington signed a cessation of hostilities in June, but the US launched strikes against Iran in July, saying it was in response to Iran's actions against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asked him to delay an attack on Iran, but he did not agree.
"Scott is a great financier: 'Sir, maybe we can do this later?' Don’t you think we could hold off a little,” Trump cited Bessent’s request while speaking at the Republican National Convention.
The American leader stressed that this is impossible.
"I said no, because if we don't hit them now, they'll have nuclear weapons in a month," Trump added. However, he did not specify what kind of attack on Iran he was talking about.
On the night of June 18, Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum that envisaged the end of the conflict that began on February 28. However, the US military carried out several series of strikes against Iran in July. US Central Command claimed that this was done in response to Iranian actions against commercial ships that were crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran responded with strikes on US bases in a number of Middle Eastern countries, closed the Strait of Hormuz, and also accused Washington of violating the memorandum on the cessation of hostilities.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The US could launch a new attack on Iran soon
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What kind of attack on Iran exactly did Trump have in mind?
- What evidence does the US have that Iran will soon acquire nuclear weapons?
- How does Tehran plan to respond to a potential new US attack?
