President Donald Trump has turned up the heat on Iran, announcing the dispatch of an enormous US carrier strike group towards the Islamic Republic while demanding a comprehensive nuclear agreement. In an exclusive interview with Larry Kudlow on Fox Business, Trump painted a picture of impending confrontation unless Tehran capitulates to strict US conditions.
‘Do I think they want to make a deal? Yeah, I do. If they don’t, it’ll be their big mistake,’ Trump declared, outlining red lines for any talks: zero tolerance for nuclear arms, ballistic missiles, or other threats. He questioned the reliability of Iran’s current regime, casting doubt on its commitments.
The Republican leader didn’t hold back on predecessors, slamming Obama and Biden’s Iran policies as catastrophic. ‘That nuclear deal was the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen,’ he said, referencing prior US operations that dismantled Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump suggested more such actions could follow if needed.
Framing the naval buildup within a multifaceted strategy—including sanctions and tariffs that he credits for resolving multiple global disputes—Trump aims to reshape the Middle East power balance. The move intensifies scrutiny on Iran’s atomic pursuits and support for militias, disrupting oil prices, Strait of Hormuz navigation, and alliances.
India, balancing ties with both Washington and Tehran, monitors closely. Its reliance on Gulf energy, investments in Iranian infrastructure, and strategic interests in regional stability make every US-Iran flare-up a high-stakes affair. As tensions simmer, Trump’s words echo a return to ‘peace through strength,’ challenging Iran to choose negotiation over isolation.