Asked whether he has ruled out using a nuclear weapon against Iran, US President Donald Trump said Monday that he has, calling the question “stupid,” as the US and Iran traded fire again after a lull in fighting.

“I would never say that but the answer is yes,” Trump told a reporter in the Oval Office. “There is no reason for it… What a stupid question.”

“They’re totally defeated militarily, and now I should use a nuclear weapon on them? What a stupid question,” he repeated.

Trump in the past has threatened to destroy Iran’s civilization, but hasn’t ever threatened to do so using a nuclear weapon.

The exchange came as Axios reported that the US president is considering returning to a campaign of “limited” strikes against Iran, a day after the two sides briefly exchanged fire.

According to three US officials quoted in the report, the US is weighing strikes on missile and radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Iran from launching projectiles at ships in the waterway.

One official quoted in the report said the US plan, developed by the US military Central Command (CENTCOM) and approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, would look to “mow the lawn,” and reduce the risk of attacks on commercial ships and other vessels in the Strait.

CENTCOM is concerned that Iran is actively trying to rebuild its radar and missile capabilities near the key waterway, the report said, adding that a recent incident involving a missile fired at a US F-35 fighter jet escorting a ship through the Strait has raised US eyebrows.

While the missile wasn’t close enough to constitute a reach threat to the US aircraft, the sources told Axios, it was a signal that Iran is rebuilding its capabilities in the area, potentially necessitating a return to US strikes.

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© The Times of Israel