President Donald Trump ridiculed Iran’s continued pursuit of uranium enrichment following U.S. airstrikes on its key nuclear sites last month, expressing disbelief on Sunday at Tehran’s persistence despite what he described as a decisive military blow to its ambitions.
“They got the hell knocked out of them and they…I don’t think they know it,” Trump told reporters at his golf course in the Scottish village of Turnberry. He said Iran’s insistence on enrichment was “stupid” and vowed to stop the program outright.
Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and Iran’s Foreign Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump’s comments marked one of the sharpest threats from Washington since last month’s 12-day war, when Israeli and U.S. strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities. Despite the losses, Tehran remains defiant on uranium enrichment—a key issue behind decades of U.S.-Iran tensions.
The U.S. leader’s remarks highlight a growing divide: Iran claims its program is peaceful and scientific, while the U.S. sees enrichment as a path to nuclear weapons—something Trump insists he would never allow.
President Donald Trump speaks as he meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland Sunday, July 27, 2025.
President Donald Trump speaks as he meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland Sunday, July 27, 2025.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo
What to Know
Following a meeting with EU chief Ursula Von der Leyen, Trump expressed surprise at Iran’s ongoing pursuit of uranium enrichment. “They still talk about enrichment,” he said. “Who would do that? You just come out of something that’s so bad, and they talk about, we want to continue enrichment.”
He added: “How stupid can you be to say that?”
Trump also condemned Iran’s rhetoric, saying: “Iran has been very nasty with their words, with their mouth. They got the hell knocked out of them and they…I don’t think they know it. I actually don’t think they know.”
Nuclear Damage
On June 22, U.S. forces struck Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Esfahan and Natanz, following a 12-day Israeli offensive. In retaliation, Iran launched missile attacks on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar—the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East—claiming it was a direct response to American aggression.
Although Iran reported successful strikes, U.S. and Qatari officials stated that all missiles were intercepted and no casualties or major damage occurred.
Portraits of children and teenagers who were killed in the June 13 Israeli airstrike at a residential compound in Tehran, Iran, are displayed with some of their belongings on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
Portraits of children and teenagers who were killed in the June 13 Israeli airstrike at a residential compound in Tehran, Iran, are displayed with some of their belongings on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
AP Photo
National Pride
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently reaffirmed that Iran would not abandon its uranium enrichment program. He called the effort both a scientific success and a patriotic symbol.
“Our enrichment is so dear to us,” Araghchi said.
Meanwhile, Iran has said that it would proceed with nuclear negotiations alongside European powers following “serious, frank and detailed” discussions in Istanbul last week.
What People Are Saying
U.S. President Donald Trump: “The whole thing’s a con job…Iran was beaten up very badly, for good reason. We cannot have them have a nuclear weapon.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: “Obviously we cannot give up our enrichment, because it is an achievement of our own scientists and now more than that, it is a question of national pride.”
What Happens Next
Trump’s latest comments indicate the U.S. will continue pressuring Iran diplomatically and militarily to abandon uranium enrichment. While talks with European powers are ongoing following recent meetings in Turkey, no deal has been reached yet, and tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high with the risk of further escalation.
A policeman stands guard outside of the Iranian consulate as European and Iranian diplomats meet for talks over Tehran’s nuclear program, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, July 25, 2025.
A policeman stands guard outside of the Iranian consulate as European and Iranian diplomats meet for talks over Tehran’s nuclear program, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, July 25, 2025.
Francisco Seco/AP Photo