US President Donald Trump stressed that it was necessary to act against Iran to destroy its nuclear program and prevent it from possessing a nuclear weapon. Trump noted that Iran's possession and use of a nuclear weapon would have led to "the elimination of Israel and the destruction of the Middle East." Trump said, “Iran very much wants to reach an agreement with the United States,” noting that “Washington does not yet know whether it wants to conclude this agreement.” Trump pointed out that one of the most prominent obstacles he faces in negotiating is his lack of knowledge of the party with whom he can negotiate inside Iran. Trump considered the Strait of Hormuz to be American territory, noting that "oil prices will fall as soon as the Iranian file is completed."