Baku:U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that he needs to halt the killing of Iranian leaders to ascertain whom the U.S. is negotiating with, while emphasizing that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Trump made these remarks during a campaign rally in Georgia, where he expressed, "I gotta stop" killing Iranian leaders because he needs to "figure out who the hell we're negotiating with." He further explained that Iran currently lacks airplanes, ships, or leaders due to U.S. actions, noting that the top leaders have been eliminated.

Trump defended his 2018 decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was established under former President Barack Obama. He referred to it as "one of the worst deals ever made" and insisted it was a pathway for Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, a scenario he claims to have prevented just in time.

Additionally, Trump highlighted military operations named Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury, which he claims significantly reduced Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity. These operations reportedly took place in 2025 and from February to May of this year. Trump concluded by asserting the importance of ensuring Iran never acquires nuclear weapons, stating that they have been defeated "militarily, financially, and otherwise."