Trump says he backs inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites

WASHINGTON

The US wants the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "or somebody that we respect" to be able to inspect Iran’s nuclear sites, President Donald Trump said Friday.

"Or somebody, yeah, or somebody that we respect, including ourselves," Trump told reporters at the White House, when asked if he would be demanding that the IAEA "have full rights" to inspect in Iran.

"Iran wants to meet," Trump said, reiterating that their nuclear sites were "obliterated" during the recent US strikes.

"I don't believe that they're going to go back into nuclear anytime soon," he said.

Trump said he would consider bombing Iran again over its uranium enrichment.

"Sure. Without question. Absolutely," Trump said when asked if he would consider bombing the country again if the intelligence reports conclude that Iran can enrich uranium to a level that concerns the US.

On June 22, the US dropped six bunker-buster bombs on the Fordo nuclear facility and launched dozens of submarine-based cruise missile attacks on two other sites in Natanz and Isfahan as part of its campaign against Iran’s nuclear program.

The strikes came in support of Israel's air raids against Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure, which began on June 13.

The 12-day war over Iran's nuclear program was halted Tuesday after a ceasefire was announced by Trump.

'We won the war'

Trump said both Iran and Israel are "exhausted."

"I dealt with both of them, and they both wanted it settled, both of them, and we did a great job, but they're exhausted. The last thing they're thinking about right now is nuclear," he added.

Stressing that he is not worried about secret nuclear sites in Iran, Trump replied back to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said on Wednesday that Iran "slapped America in the face."

"I'm putting out a little statement. I'm going to respond to the Ayatollah's statement yesterday. We won the war," Trump said.

Iran and Israel "were both beaten up," Trump said, adding: "It was a great time to end it."

"The last thing they're thinking about is nuclear weapons right now," he added.