Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is urging President Donald Trump to abandon ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran and instead launch military strikes to destroy the country’s nuclear facilities. “You’re never going to be able to negotiate with that kind of regime that has been destabilizing the region for decades already, and now we have an incredible window, I believe, to do that, to strike and destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities,” Fetterman told the Washington Free Beacon in an interview on Wednesday. Fetterman’s remarks come as the Trump administration prepares for a third round of talks with Iranian officials, scheduled for this weekend, aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. The talks, which began in Oman earlier this month, follow Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during his first term in 2018, a move Fetterman supported. Since then, Iran has increased its uranium enrichment, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reporting in March 2025 that Iran possesses 275 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity—close to the 90% needed for a nuclear weapon. The senator, a staunch supporter of Israel, dismissed concerns from foreign policy experts that a military strike could escalate into a broader regional conflict. He argued that Iran’s proxies, including Hamas and the Houthis, have been significantly weakened, saying, “The Houthis have been effectively neutered,” and describing Hamas as “a bunch of tunnel rats with low-quality rockets.” Fetterman also criticized the negotiation team led by Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, calling their efforts “unimpressive and utterly bewildering.” He suggested that the negotiations should instead involve “30,000-pound bombs and the IDF.” Fetterman’s position aligns with his consistent advocacy for strong U.S. support for Israel and a hardline stance against Iran. In March 2025, during a visit to Jerusalem, he told JNS that he “fully supports partnering with Israel to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities,” emphasizing his refusal to “turn my back on Israel.” He has also previously criticized the Biden administration’s approach, particularly its decision to withhold 2,000-pound bombs from Israel, a move reversed by Trump that Fetterman supported. The Trump administration has maintained that a diplomatic resolution is its primary goal but has not ruled out military action. President Trump has repeatedly warned Iran of severe consequences if a deal is not reached, warning that failure to agree could result in “bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.” National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has clarified that the administration seeks the “full dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear program, including enrichment and weaponization capabilities. Israel has also been contemplating a limited strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to Reuters. Israeli officials have expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the U.S.-Iran talks, with some comparing the emerging framework to the 2015 JCPOA, which they opposed. Iran, for its part, has signaled a willingness to engage in talks, with adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani, saying that Tehran would give the negotiations “a genuine chance” if the U.S. approaches with “sincere intentions.” However, Iran has rejected demands for complete dismantlement, seeking instead a deal that limits its program in exchange for sanctions relief. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)