John McGuire

Rep. John McGuire, R-Va., told Newsmax on Friday that Iran still possesses enough enriched uranium to build 11 nuclear bombs and defended President Donald Trump's ongoing negotiations with Tehran as the administration pushes for a 60-day ceasefire and a broader nuclear agreement.

Appearing on "National Report," McGuire said he trusts Trump's leadership despite continued concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities and the regime's history of supporting terrorism.

"I trust President Trump," McGuire said. "He's got a backbone of all the presidents in my lifetime. He actually has the fortitude to stop this number one state sponsor of terror."

The Virginia Republican, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, said he remains skeptical of Iran's intentions despite ongoing diplomatic talks.

"I just do not trust this regime," McGuire said. "But I think [Secretary of State] Marco Rubio and [Vice President] JD Vance and the rest of the administration is working hard. But again, it goes up to President Trump."

McGuire's comments come as Trump weighs whether to sign a draft memorandum of understanding with Iran that would reportedly extend a ceasefire and address Tehran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The proposed agreement has drawn scrutiny because key details involving uranium enrichment and Iran's nuclear program would be negotiated later.

The administration has repeatedly insisted Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. Trump recently said any final deal must include the surrender or destruction of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, which U.S. officials have claimed is sufficient for multiple nuclear weapons.

McGuire pointed to what he described as the success of Operation Midnight Hammer, the U.S. military strike targeting Iran's nuclear facilities.

"Remember, our incredible men and women in our military had that incredible Operation Midnight Hammer," McGuire said. "And what they did is they destroyed Iran's ability to enrich uranium."

The Pentagon has maintained that the operation severely damaged Iran's nuclear infrastructure, although questions remain about whether portions of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile were moved before the strikes.

McGuire said he personally questioned Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during a recent Armed Services Committee hearing about Iran's nuclear capabilities.

"I asked the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth. I said, 'Is it true Iran has enough uranium to build 11 nuclear bombs?' And he said, 'Yes,'" McGuire said.

The congressman argued that Iran's stockpile presents an immediate threat because of the regime's growing ballistic missile program.

"And they bring it to the negotiating table every day that they have that much," McGuire said.

McGuire also recounted asking Hegseth about the potential consequences of a nuclear strike involving Iranian missiles.

"I said, if they were to use one of those ballistic missiles that we know could reach Paris or London, would it kill 100 people? Would it kill a thousand people, or could it kill a million people?" McGuire said. "And the Secretary of War said it could kill a million people."

McGuire argued that the danger posed by Iran's missile and nuclear programs justified military action and continued pressure on Tehran.

"The threat was too great to wait," he said. "They were building this huge network of ballistic missiles that would have been impenetrable, that would have allowed them to build a nuclear weapon with no one able to stop them."

Despite ongoing tensions involving Israel, Hezbollah and Iran-backed groups across the region, McGuire expressed optimism about Trump's diplomatic efforts.

"I think we're going to have this 60 days, and President Trump's leadership is making more progress than any president in my lifetime," McGuire said. "But we got to be patient and we got to trust our leadership."

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