Donald Trump has dramatically shifted his justification for the escalating Iran war, warning the Middle Eastern power was just “one month” away from developing a nuclear weapon capable of devastating the United States. The US President made the stark claim during a tense Oval Office exchange with reporters on Tuesday as global fears of a wider conflict continue to mount.

His chilling warning included the claim that Iran was just 30 days from possessing a nuclear weapon. His comments mark the latest in a series of conflicting explanations for the initial strikes on Tehran that triggered open hostilities on February 28. Trump insisted Iran was on the brink of nuclear capability, saying: “They would’ve had a nuclear weapon within one month of when we sent the B-2 bombers to hit their nuclear potential.” He also took aim at former president Barack Obama’s nuclear deal with Tehran, declaring: “If I didn’t terminate Obama’s horrible deal, you would’ve had nuclear holocaust,” doubling down on his claim that his intervention prevented a catastrophic global crisis.

The warning comes after officials declared just six months ago that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been “obliterated” in earlier military action.

Former counterterrorism chief Joe Kent recently resigned after reportedly concluding Iran posed no immediate nuclear threat.

During the same White House meeting with Irish premier Micheál Martin, Trump defended his decision to scrap the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

The controversial agreement – formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – imposed strict limits on Tehran’s uranium enrichment and allowed international inspections of key facilities.

However, nuclear experts have disputed the president’s claims, warning the US withdrawal may have accelerated Iran’s programme and heightened long-term global security fears.

Laura Rockwood, a senior fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation and former International Atomic Energy Agency official, said in comments published this week that Iran’s nuclear programme advanced after Washington withdrew from the deal.

Security analysts warn the collapse of diplomatic efforts shortened Tehran’s “breakout time” – the period needed to produce weapons-grade uranium – fuelling alarm among Western governments.

Critics argue the agreement merely delayed Iran’s ambitions, while supporters insist it dismantled key nuclear infrastructure and imposed unprecedented monitoring.

The bitter row over the pact has now become a central flashpoint in the escalating conflict.

World leaders are scrambling to prevent further escalation as missile strikes and regional tensions continue to mount.

With both sides refusing to back down, fears are growing the crisis could spiral into a catastrophic global confrontation.