New York: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended the seven-month US war with Iran, saying they had prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ended its position as the dominant power in the Middle East.
In a 37-minute speech, Trump threatened further military action against Iran while predicting that Washington DC and Tehran would reach a deal after the November 3 midterm elections.
“I have a big decision to make. Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before?” Trump said. “Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?”
Trump then asked whether he should “drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations”.
At the same time, Trump said he expected an agreement after the midterm elections.
“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to. They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election,” he said.
Accusing Tehran of being the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, Trump urged other countries to maintain economic pressure on Iran.
“There is no better example of a danger that was allowed to gather strength at the world’s peril than the number one sponsor of terror, the Islamic Republic of Iran. They were the bully of the Middle East, but they are the bully no more,” he claimed.
