Could Iran’s nuclear ambitions harden as war escalates?

You're reading an excerpt from Al-Monitor Washington, where we break down the latest in US-Middle East diplomacy. To read the full newsletter, sign up here . WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has said he launched the war with Iran in part to prevent it from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. But as the war stretches into its seventh month, the Islamic Republic's own case for weaponization may be growing. “We are fighting now because there is a certain country that wanted nuclear weapons,” Trump said at a 9/11 memorial event on Tuesday. “They were very close to obtaining it, and now they have no chance of obtaining it.” A preliminary deal struck in June paved the way for negotiations on curbing Iran’s nuclear program, but it quickly fell apart, and both sides have resumed tit-for-tat strikes. Along with US military strikes, the Trump administration is squeezing Iran with a naval blockade and sanctions targeting the country’s oil exports and financial lifelines. You're reading a free AL-MONITOR Original Want more like this? AL-MONITOR All-Access gives you unlimited access to all our journalism, the full Daily Briefing, exclusive interviews, premium newsletters, and live events — for less than $2/week. Email Address See Offers Terms and Privacy