The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated that the military offensive against Iran was a preventive response to an attack that, according to him, was already being prepared against the United States and its allies in the Middle East. The declaration was made during a speech at a Republican conference, on Monday (9).
According to Trump, the decision to strike Iranian facilities occurred because American intelligence indicated that Tehran was ready to launch a large-scale offensive.
“If we hadn’t intervened, they would have come after us,” the president said. “They were ready and had far more missiles than anyone imagined.”
In his speech, Trump criticized opponents who question the necessity of the military operation and said that the alternative would have been an even greater escalation of violence.
“I asked people: would you prefer to do this now or proceed normally and then face a catastrophe that perhaps the world has never seen?”, he said.
According to the president, Iran was preparing to strike not only the United States but also Israel and other countries in the region.
Israel would have been a nuclear target, says the president
Trump also stated that Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon and that Israel would be the main target.
According to him, without the attacks carried out by the United States — which included B-2 bombers — the Iranian government could have reached nuclear capability in a few weeks.
“Israel would have been eliminated,” he said. “They would have a nuclear weapon in two weeks.”
Iranian military infrastructure was struck
Trump also stated that American forces destroyed a large portion of Iran’s missile and drone infrastructure.
According to him, around 80% of the missile launch platforms were neutralized, which would have significantly reduced the country’s offensive capability.
“What our military did is amazing,” he said.
For Trump, the military operation removed a direct threat to the United States and its allies and should contribute to a safer international landscape.
