Trump defends military action against Iran at Veterans Day ceremony
The US President stated that Washington seeks a complete victory in the conflict and claimed Iran has been waging war since 1979.
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States did not initiate the war with Iran, asserting that Tehran has been waging war against America since 1979. Speaking at the 2026 National Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Trump defended his administration's military campaign in West Asia.
According to reports from The Times of India and WION, Trump stated that the US military has fought back and emerged victorious. He emphasised that the administration's goal is to achieve a complete outcome rather than a partial one, suggesting it would take 25 years for Iran to rebuild what has been destroyed.
Trump noted that military operations against Iran began seven months ago, with only a few weeks of intense fighting. He mentioned that the use of B-2 bombers helped prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He added that the conflict would conclude soon, making the world a safer place.
The President's remarks come as the conflict has become a domestic political issue, with Republican candidates facing setbacks in midterm legislative contests. The war, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes, has resulted in the deaths of 23 US service members and left several hundred others wounded, per Pentagon figures.
The ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was also attended by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins. Trump also praised Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth during the event.