Trump Explains Why North Korea Has Nukes While Iran Faces Restrictions, Citing Kim Friendship

US President Donald Trump has pointed to his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while explaining why North Korea can possess nuclear weapons even as he maintains that Iran must not acquire them. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump acknowledged that North Korea has a “pretty large” nuclear capability and blamed previous US administrations for failing to prevent Pyongyang from developing its arsenal. His comments came a day after he again said Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon.” Asked why North Korea could have nuclear weapons while Iran was being prevented from obtaining them, Trump attributed the difference to decisions made by earlier US presidents. “You know why? Because they had presidents that didn’t do what I did,” Trump said, arguing that North Korea’s nuclear programme could have been stopped in the past.

He did not suggest that Washington accepts North Korea’s nuclear status as a formal policy, but his remarks acknowledged the reality that Pyongyang already possesses nuclear weapons while the US continues to oppose Iran acquiring them. Trump then shifted to his relationship with Kim, describing the North Korean leader as “a friend of mine” and saying Kim likes and respects him. “I am about the only person in the entire world that he likes, and I like him,” Trump said. He also said Kim would be “fine” as long as he remained in office. Trump has repeatedly highlighted his personal rapport with Kim since their first summit in 2018, presenting direct engagement between the two leaders as an important element of his approach to North Korea. Trump said North Korea possesses a substantial nuclear capability, although he stressed that its arsenal is far smaller than that of the United States.

The size of Pyongyang’s arsenal remains difficult to determine because North Korea does not publicly disclose complete information about its nuclear weapons. Trump said in August that North Korea had 57 “very powerful” nuclear weapons. South Korea’s defence minister subsequently gave lawmakers a higher estimate of between 80 and 120 weapons, illustrating the uncertainty surrounding the exact size of the North Korean stockpile. Trump’s comments come as his administration continues to take a different approach toward Iran’s nuclear programme. Washington has repeatedly stated that Tehran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, while Iran has maintained that its nuclear activities have peaceful purposes. The US and Iran have also remained engaged in indirect diplomacy through mediators, with discussions involving nuclear restrictions, sanctions and wider regional issues.

Also Read: Iran Publishes 25-Page Letter Calling On Americans To Oppose Trump Allies In Midterms

The talks have taken place amid the broader conflict between the two countries and continuing disputes over the Strait of Hormuz. The distinction between North Korea and Iran also reflects their different nuclear histories. North Korea has already developed nuclear weapons and conducted multiple nuclear tests, while Iran is not known to possess a nuclear weapon. The 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump withdrew the United States from that agreement in 2018 and restored US sanctions, while tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme have continued since then. Trump has meanwhile signalled an interest in renewing direct engagement with Kim.

The two leaders met three times during Trump’s first presidency — in Singapore in 2018, Hanoi in 2019 and at Panmunjom on the inter-Korean border later that year. Those meetings did not result in an agreement requiring North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. Trump has said he expects to meet Kim again later this year, potentially during his planned Asia trip for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen in November. North Korea has continued developing its military capabilities while Trump has expressed interest in renewed talks. The US president’s latest remarks therefore highlight the challenge Washington faces in dealing with a country that already possesses nuclear weapons while attempting to prevent another country, Iran, from acquiring them. Trump’s explanation centred on the decisions of previous administrations and his personal relationship with Kim, while the broader US policy toward Iran remains focused on preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Also Read: Trump Calls Sundar Pichai A 'Monster' Nobody Knows