Stopping Iran’s nuclear program outweighs Americans’ economic pain

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Americans’ financial struggles are not a factor in his decision-making as he seeks to negotiate an end to the Iran war, saying ​that preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is his top priority.

Asked by a reporter ‌to what extent Americans’ financial situations were motivating him to strike a deal, Trump said: “Not even a little bit. The only thing that matters, when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon. I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about ​anybody. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. ⁠That’s all. That’s the only thing that motivates me“.

Asked to elaborate on the president’s comments, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said that Trump’s “ultimate responsibility is the safety and security of Americans. Iran cannot have a ​nuclear weapon, and if action wasn’t taken, they’d have one, which threatens all Americans.