US President Donald Trump has offered explanation for the past weekend’s strikes against Iran, offering a robust justification for the ongoing military action to reporters and guests during a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room.
It is the first time the President has given in-person and live remarks to reporters since the operation began early on Saturday, February 28, 2026. “Our objectives are clear,” Trump said.
“First, we’re destroying Iran’s missile capabilities — and you see that happening on an hourly basis — and their capacity to produce brand-new ones, and pretty good ones they make. Second, we’re annihilating their navy. We’ve knocked out already 10 ships. They’re at the bottom of the sea.”
Donald Trump
Also, the US President said that the strikes, which began in the early hours of Saturday morning and continued today, will ensure that Iran “can never obtain a nuclear weapon.”
He warned that the regime was “on the road to getting one legitimately” under an agreement signed by former President Barack Obama, which Trump withdrew the United States from in his first term. He previously said that June strikes obliterated Iran’s nuclear program.
“And finally, we’re ensuring that the Iranian regime cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders.”
Donald Trump
Trump said that talks with Iran about a deal moved in fits and starts and ultimately stalled ahead of the military strikes.
“We thought we had a deal, but then they backed out. And they came back and we thought we had a deal, and they backed out. I said, you can’t deal with these people — got to do it the right way.”
Donald Trump
Additionally, Trump stated that the United States is “already substantially ahead of our time projections” on the war with Iran, but he did not offer a definitive answer on when he expects the military operation to conclude.
“Whatever the time is, it’s OK. Whatever it takes. Right from the beginning, we projected four to five weeks, but we have capability to go far longer than that. We’ll do it.”
Donald Trump
During remarks in the East Room, Trump dismissed the notion that he would get bored after four to five weeks of conflict in Iran.
“They said, ‘Oh, well, the president wants to do it really quickly. After that, he’ll get bored.’ I don’t get bored. There’s nothing boring about this.”
Donald Trump
Trump asserted that the joint operation launched by the US and Israel against Iran was the “best chance” to counter the threats posed by Tehran’s regime.
“This was our last best chance to strike — what we’re doing right now — and eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime. And they are indeed sick and sinister.”
Donald Trump
Trump honoured the troops killed in Iranian attacks in the Middle East. “Today we grieve for the four heroic service members killed in action and send our love and support to their families,” Trump said.
“In their memory we continue this mission with ferocious, unyielding resolve to crush the threat this terrorist regime poses to the American people.”
Donald Trump
Trump Says Iran Ignored Warnings On Rebuilding Nuclear Program
Moreover, President Donald Trump stressed that Iran ignored the White House’s warnings not to rebuild its nuclear program.
“Following our obliteration of Iran’s nuclear program and Operation Midnight Hammer a short while ago, we warned Iran not to make any attempt to rebuild at a different location, because they were unable to use the ones we so powerfully blew up, but they ignored those warnings and refused to cease their pursuit of nuclear weapons.”
Donald Trump
Trump was referring to US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites in June, which the White House claimed “totally” obliterated Tehran’s nuclear program.
“The regime already had missiles capable of hitting Europe and our bases, both local and overseas, and would soon have had missiles capable of reaching our beautiful America.”
Donald Trump
