Addressing the nation for the first time after Iran’s missile attack on U.S. troops in Iraq, President Trump said he would not allow the Iranian regime to obtain nuclear weapons, and he indicated that he was willing to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East.
“As long as I am president of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon,” Mr. Trump said at the beginning of his remarks. He then discussed Tuesday night’s attacks on two bases where hundreds of U.S. troops in Iraq are stationed.
“The American people should be extremely grateful and happy. No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime,” Mr. Trump said, adding that “only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases.”
Mr. Trump said that Iran appeared to be standing down, which he said was “a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.”
Mr. Trump also touted his decision to take “decisive action to stop a ruthless terrorist,” Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in an American strike last week.
“Soleimani’s hands were drenched in both American and Iranian blood. He should have been terminated long ago,” Mr. Trump said. He added that Soleimani’s death sent a message to terrorists: “If you value your own life, you will not threaten the lives of our people.”
Mr. Trump also announced that the U.S. will impose “powerful sanctions” on Iran, which will remain in place until the regime changes its behavior. He also slammed the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by President Obama, from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018, and he called on allies to also leave the deal.
“They must now break away from the remnants of the Iran deal,” Mr. Trump said. He suggested that he would be willing to make a new deal with Iran “that makes the world safer.”
He added that “Iran can be a great country” if it stops sponsoring terrorism in the Middle East.
Mr. Trump also touted increased military spending under his administration and called on NATO to help the U.S. in its diplomatic efforts with Iran.
“Today I am going to ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East process,” Mr. Trump said. NATO members assisted the U.S. in the war in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
He finished his remarks by speaking directly to the people of Iran.
“We want you to have a future, and a great future, one that you deserve,” Mr. Trump said. “The United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.”
