White House defends Trump remarks on Iran nuclear threat

White House officials pushed back against criticism of Trump's statement about Iran, saying his comments were intended to highlight the dangers posed by a nuclear-armed Iran rather than to suggest acceptance of such an outcome.

Newsom, a prominent Democrat, had condemned the remarks as extreme and concerning. However, Trump's team maintained the former president was attempting to underscore what it views as the serious threat of Iranian nuclear development to U.S. interests and regional stability.

The exchange reflects broader disagreements between Trump and Democratic leaders over how to characterize statements about foreign policy threats. The White House's defense emphasized that Trump was drawing attention to risks associated with Iran's nuclear program, which has long been a focal point of U.S. policy concerns in the Middle East.

The comments come amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions and U.S. strategy toward Tehran. Officials have repeatedly warned that allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons would pose a significant security challenge to American allies and interests in the region.

No official statement was issued regarding whether Trump planned to elaborate further on his position regarding Iran policy.