In a White House press briefing on October 15, 2025, President Donald Trump mistakenly referred to Iran as a nuclear power while recounting his role in averting a conflict between India and Pakistan. Defending his tariff policy, Trump said:

“I was in the midst of negotiating a trade deal with Iran and Pakistan. I heard they are shooting at each other. Two nuclear powers.”

The gaffe quickly went viral because Iran is not a nuclear-armed state, unlike India and Pakistan.

Trump claimed his threat of a 200% tariff ended what he described as a looming “nuclear war,” asserting that both nations backed down within 24 hours. Critics noted that he likely meant India, as Pakistan and Iran have not exchanged fire recently.

Trump has repeatedly boasted that tariffs helped him stop “five or six wars,” including the May 2025 India–Pakistan standoff, though Indian officials deny any U.S. mediation, stating the ceasefire was negotiated directly between the two countries’ military chiefs.

The remark fueled speculation about Trump’s cognitive sharpness, with commentators calling it “another dementia red flag,” while the White House insists he is in “excellent health”.