Trump says Iran will ‘come back’ warns he could ‘take out’ country if talks fail

WASHINGTON, DC: US President Donald Trump said he expects Iran to return to negotiations and ultimately concede to US demands, even as tensions remain high following failed talks.

“I predict they come back and they give us everything we want,” Trump said in an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, on Sunday, April 12. He  stressed that “They have no cards.”

Trump says ‘I could take out Iran in one day’

Trump also defended his earlier warning that a “whole civilization” could be destroyed, arguing that such rhetoric pushed Tehran into negotiations.

“When I say about a civilization, it really has changed,” he said, contrasting his remarks with longstanding anti-US slogans from Iran. “That statement got them to the bargaining table and they haven’t left it,” he added.

Reiterating his hardline stance, Trump warned of overwhelming US military capability against Iran.

“I could take out Iran in one day,” he said, claiming that key infrastructure including energy facilities and power plants, could be destroyed within hours.

“In one hour, I could have their entire energy… every one of their plants,” he said, while adding that he would prefer not to take such action due to the long-term devastation it would cause.

Trump says Iran’s key infrastructure still vulnerable

Trump claimed that Iran’s military infrastructure had already been largely destroyed during weeks of conflict, but identified remaining strategic targets.

These include water desalination facilities, the national power grid, bridges and missile manufacturing sites.

“The only thing left really is their water, which would be very devastating to hit,” he said, while adding that the US is aware of all remaining missile production locations.

The comments come after recent US-Iran talks held in Pakistan ended without a deal, leaving core issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme, unresolved.