US President Donald Trump said Friday that four companies had met his administration's advanced nuclear reactor goal, while saying the US was "locked and loaded" and prepared to escalate military action against Iran if needed.
Trump made the remarks during a White House event on American Nuclear Innovation.
"Last year, I signed four historic executive orders to reignite a wave of progress in America's nuclear power production and promote this abundant, affordable, unlimited supply of energy for the American people," Trump said.
He added that four firms had succeeded in meeting that deadline after many believed the target was impossible.
Trump said he directed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to establish a pilot program for advanced reactors and launch at least three cutting-edge reactors by the Fourth of July.
These successful projects marked the first privately funded reactor startups in the US in more than four decades, according to Trump.
The US President said reactor approvals previously took six years or longer, with many projects never receiving approval. He said the administration has accelerated reviews and restored US leadership in next-generation nuclear technology.
Asked about a proposed civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, Trump said the Saudi Arabia must first join the Abraham Accords.
"In order to do it, they have to be a member of the Abraham Accords... it's time now that they do it," he said.
On Iran, Trump said regional dynamics have shifted after recent action against Iran.
"They were the bully of the Middle East. They're really not going to be that much of a bully anymore," he said, adding that the Abraham Accords remain important for long-term regional stability.
Trump said Washington continues to pursue diplomacy with Iran while keeping military options available.
"You can just keep doing exactly what we're doing, and take them apart piece by piece. We could do it at a more rapid fashion, which we might do, or we can negotiate with them, which we're also doing right now," he said.
Responding to whether he had decided on major strikes against Iran, Trump said, "No, I haven't. We're talking to them right now. I think they're getting more and more serious as the days go by."
"I consider that the smarter way, but the other's probably the easier way, doing what we're doing, and we can take that to a much higher level if we want to. We're prepared to do that, as you know. We're locked and loaded," he said.
Trump also said Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin told him they would not assist Iran. He said he trusts both leaders and believes neither wants to undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Turning to energy policy, Trump criticized wind power as costly and unreliable while promoting oil, gas, coal, hydroelectric, geothermal and nuclear energy.
"Wind is inconsistent, it's unattractive, it's very expensive. It's probably the most expensive form of energy," Trump added.
"We're doing more than anybody ever in history having to do with energy, but I've restricted wind farms, wind mills," Trump said.
Executives from participating companies credited Trump's executive orders for speeding development.
They said advanced reactors could power manufacturing, space missions and undersea systems, while one company plans to raise $1 billion this year and move into a 1 million-square-foot facility.