A statement by Donald Trump threatening to wipe Iranian civilization off the face of the earth has created the impression worldwide that he intends to use nuclear weapons against Iran. His remarks sparked concern not only in the Middle East but worldwide. In this context, former CIA official Larry Johnson revealed in a podcast that during US-Iran war, Trump was under intense pressure and was considering a nuclear strike against Iran. He reportedly went to the White House Situation Room and, during a meeting with senior Pentagon officials, expressed a desire to access nuclear codes. However, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Kane, refused, stating that the United States faced no nuclear threat from Iran and urging him to abandon the idea. After the incident, military commanders decided to limit his access to the Situation Room as much as possible.
It is generally believed that the US President, as Commander-in-Chief, has sole authority to launch nuclear weapons. However, this incident suggests that the balance of power in the United States is more complex, and such decisions may also involve senior military leadership. It is to be remembered that on April 7, Trump warned completely destroying Iranian civilization and hinted at the use of unprecedented weapons. Following global criticism, he later clarified that he did not intend to launch a nuclear attack on Iran.
The concept of using nuclear weapons symbolizes fear and destruction for humanity. The United States remains the only country to have used nuclear weapons during World War II, when atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing over 200,000 people, with devastating effects still felt today. Hence Trump’s threats are seen as contrary to global peace principles. Trump is under extreme pressure these days, he is realizing that he has fallen into Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s trap. The failure of peace talks in Islamabad, prolonged war with Iran, protests within United States, declining popularity, and even an assassination attempt have increased his stress level. In these circumstances If Donald Trump had possession of the nuclear launch codes and the authority to press the button, it cannot be ruled out that he may take a desperate decision and he might have already carried out a nuclear strike against Iran something that military commanders are also aware of. Recently, under pressure, he has dismissed the head of US Navy.
Another reason for Trump’s mental state is a recent report by the Center for Strategic and Int’l Studies (CSIS), which revealed that during seven weeks of attacks on Iran, about 50% of United States’ advanced missile stockpiles including Patriot systems have been depleted, with losses exceeding $35 billion. In such a situation, if the U.S. were to face another war with a major power, it might not have sufficient missiles available for defense. Consequently, the Trump administration has requested additional defense budget funding from Congress.
Global politics now stands at a delicate juncture, where the balance between the use of force and diplomacy is rapidly eroding. Threats involving nuclear weapons are not mere political rhetoric, they pose a grave danger to humanity. While United States claims its actions aim to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, such threats contradict that objective. If nuclear war is prioritized over diplomacy, the consequences could be catastrophic not just for the region, but for the entire world.
