Trump considering using nuclear weapons against Iran – Tucker Carlson

American Conservative political commentator and broadcaster Tucker Carlson has warned of a potential US nuclear attack on Iran.

Mr Carlson, in a post on X, said US President Donald Trump is under “maximum pressure” from Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu to launch a nuclear strike on Iran.

Although Mr Trump has in the past denied that he planned to use nuclear weapons in Iran, Mr Carlson says that option is now being considered.

He said the potential strike will likely target Pickax Mountain in central Iran, where Israeli intelligence claims the Iranian government has restarted its nuclear enrichment programme.

Mr Carlson is a friend-turned-critic of President Donald Trump.

He was previously regarded as a strong ally of Mr Trump and a leading voice within the MAGA coalition, particularly during Mr Trump’s campaign to return to the White House.

After Mr Trump resumed office, Mr Carlson supported many of the administration’s core positions, including its hardline anti-immigration stance and push to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies across the federal government.

However, disagreement on how to approach Iran began to strain their relationship in 2025. In June last year, Mr Carlson criticised President Trump for abandoning the “America first” premise he ran on, while the US leader publicly berated Mr Carlson, calling him “kooky.” Mr Trump’s decision to join forces to launch strikes against Iran in February and the subsequent war that followed prompted another major fallout.

Mr Carlson has since emerged as one of the most prominent voices on the right opposing US military intervention against Iran.

In his latest social media post, Mr Carson, quoting an unnamed “informed observer”, said a nuclear strike is being considered because no conventional weapon in the American arsenal can penetrate the tunnels where Iranian enrichment is reportedly taking place.

“Netanyahu has been pushing hard for one. Bibi calls Trump about it every day…Netanyahu is cornered and desperate. After last week’s election results, he can’t form a government unless Trump intervenes directly in Israeli politics and brokers a deal with other parties that gives Netanyahu 61 seats in the Knesset.

“Otherwise, he is out as prime minister and on his way to ignominy, investigations and possibly jail. Netanyahu must stay close to Trump. He needs this war,” he wrote.

Trump hesitation

Mr Carlson said the US president is likely to decide whether or not to use nuclear weapons by the weekend.

He also noted that Mr Trump is hesitant towards approving the use of nuclear weapons. A move that will violate established international laws and norms governing the use of nuclear weapons.

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“Close observers say Trump is likely to decide by next weekend whether or not to use nuclear weapons. That would be November 7, six days from now. To his credit, he’s hesitating.

He also said Mr Trump is currently listening to Vice President JD Vance and his envoy and friend Steve Witkoff, “both of whom argue a deal with Iran can be made”, though with great difficulty.

According to him, Mr Netanyahu is working closely with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the US CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper.

He said both of these American officials are opposed to a negotiated settlement to the war.

“Both are pushing to restart major combat operations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA director John Ratcliffe are also following Netanyahu’s lead, as are leaders of the Democratic Party.

“In a recent meeting on the subject, former president Barack Obama said he opposes the current Iran peace deal being drafted in Doha,” he also noted.

Mr Carlson also alleged that Russia has indicated a nuclear attack on Iran would give it freedom to use nuclear weapons on Ukraine.

“Pakistan and India would be tempted to do the same against each other, as would North Korea against Seoul. After the first nuclear strike, World War Three is inevitable. That war would be short and final,” he said