US President Donald Trump has made his first public statement since the joint US-Israeli military strike on Iran. In an address at the White House, he justified the operation, saying Iran’s nuclear program was posing a serious threat to the US and its allies.
Trump said the action was the “last and best chance” to eliminate the threat he believed Iran’s nuclear and missile programs posed. He indicated the military operation could last four to five weeks, though the US was capable of operating for longer.
The president alleged that Iran’s ballistic missile program was being developed to secure and expand its nuclear weapons program. According to him, if Iran were to acquire long-range missiles and nuclear weapons, it would pose a significant threat not only to the Middle East but also to the United States.
Trump stated that the US military is conducting a major operation in Iran. He claimed that three Iranian nuclear sites were “completely destroyed” in attacks in June, and warned Iran not to repeat such activity. According to him, Iran ignored the warning and continued its efforts.
In an interview with CNN, Trump said that the “big wave” of the campaign, or the biggest attack, was yet to come. He clarified that the US had not yet deployed its full military capabilities and would escalate the action if necessary.
Trump’s statement indicates that the military campaign against Iran is not ending anytime soon. Internationally, this statement is expected to further escalate tensions, while experts believe it could have a major impact on regional stability.