U.S. President Donald Trump said in an in-depth interview with Greta Van Susteren of Newsmax on Thursday (local time) that while the United States has already inflicted a decisive blow on Iran's military and leadership, the conflict cannot end until Tehran is prevented from permanently acquiring nuclear weapons.

"We have already won, but we want to win by a larger margin," he said. "We have destroyed their navy, we have destroyed their air force, their anti-aircraft equipment, their radar equipment, and their leadership. Their leadership has completely collapsed. We have destroyed everything."

President Trump described Iran as severely weakened militarily and economically, stating that only a firm guarantee against nuclear development could secure lasting results.

However, he added that Iran's ability to recover from the damage it has sustained is severely diminished. "If we withdraw right now, it will take them 20 years to rebuild, and perhaps they will never rebuild," he said.

But Trump stated that military achievements alone are not enough.

He said, "But that alone is not enough. We need a guarantee that they will never have nuclear weapons."

President Trump said, "I would say that if Iran has nuclear weapons, they will use them. I have dealt with these people, and I know them well. They will use nuclear weapons, and we will not give them the opportunity to do so."

He also dismissed past proposals to provide Iran with fissile material for civilian use, stating, "I would have never approved of that. Never." "They either have nuclear weapons or they don't," he added. "If they have them, they will be in big trouble."

President Trump pointed out that Iran is already facing severe economic pressure.

He said, "Their economy is collapsing right now, inflation is almost 100%. They cannot produce any oil because of our 100% effective blockade."

He added that while the international community's response has been generally positive, he criticized allies for not taking stronger action.

President Trump said, "I actually think what I'm doing is very popular. The world is thanking me because I didn't have to do this. Other presidents should have done this much earlier, and other countries should have done this."

He also criticized NATO for not providing substantial support, saying, "We haven't received any help from NATO."

Rep. Hong Seong-gu, NNP USA / Special Correspondent for this paper NNP info@newsandpost.com