'Iran Would Have Used Nuclear Weapon Within The First Hour': Trump Defends Tehran Deal

Last Updated:June 26, 2026, 08:25 IST

Trump said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a key objective of his administration's policy towards Tehran.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) claimed that Iran would have used a nuclear weapon “within the first hour" if it had possessed one, while asserting that Tehran has agreed not to acquire nuclear weapons as part of ongoing negotiations between the two countries.

“Iran would have used a nuclear weapon within the first hour; now they have agreed not to acquire one," Trump said while addressing the Rose Garden Club Dinner with American Farmers.

Trump said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a key objective of his administration’s policy towards Tehran.

Trump also announced what he described as a new agricultural export opportunity for American farmers, saying Iran would become a market for US farm products.

“We have another one, a new market coming up, and that’s called the lovely country of Iran," Trump said. He added that Iran was facing food shortages and claimed the US would use Iranian funds to purchase American agricultural products.

“We’re going to be taking some of their money and we’re going to be buying wheat, soybeans and corn… and that process is going to be starting pretty soon," Trump said.

The remarks follow Trump’s earlier statement that the initial phase of financial relief under a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would involve approximately **USD 500 million** worth of American agricultural goods. According to Trump, no direct cash would be transferred to Tehran, with the funds instead being used to purchase products such as wheat and corn from US farmers.

Iran rejected Trump’s assertions regarding the proposed use of its unfrozen assets.

Iranian Parliament Speaker **Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf** said US claims that Iran’s unfrozen assets would be used to purchase American agricultural products were false.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf wrote, “America falsely claims our unfrozen assets will buy their agriculture."

He added, “The only crop we’re harvesting is what you planted: decades of mistrust. It’s organic, abundant, and homegrown. But apparently the US only exports GMO soybeans, broken promises and trash talks."

Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are intended for peaceful purposes and has denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

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Devanshe PandeySenior Sub-Editor

Devanshe Pandey is a journalist with over six years of experience decoding the fast-moving worlds of politics and global affairs. Currently on the political and international desk at CNN-News18, she b...Read More

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