Trump Threatens Again with 'Annihilation' of Iran in Interview with 'Time' Magazine

- U.S. President Donald Trump said this week that he does not believe peace with Iran is possible, in an interview that comes just over a month before Republicans face a major test of American confidence in their leadership. The interview with "Time" magazine on Thursday discusses the president's thoughts on the war with Iran, renovations at the White House, the dispute over the Kennedy Center, his disappointment with his Supreme Court judge selections, and the potential preemptive pardon for members of his administration.

Trump finds himself today in a political landscape different from when he last interviewed with "Time" magazine in April 2025. He told "Time" back then that he was not worried about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dragging the U.S. into a potential war with Iran, as he would go "willingly" if they could not reach a nuclear agreement with Iran.

Now, nearly 7 months into the war with Iran, a recent poll conducted by Afaq News showed that three-quarters of American adults said the president lacks a clear plan to deal with the situation, and 78% of them said he is not making enough efforts to end the war. One of the most notable points in the interview was Trump's indication that achieving peace with Iran is impossible, at a time when mediators are trying to bring the two countries back to the negotiating table.

Trump stated that "the annihilation of Iran brings peace to the world," and added, "As for Iran, I don't think peace can ever be achieved." When asked about his repeated threats to "annihilate" Iran, Trump left the door open for that possibility.

Just one day before the interview with "Time" magazine, Trump told Axios that he expects to have more talks with Iran.