President Trump announced that Iran “appears to be standing down” after the country launched over a dozen ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq housing American troops.
Speaking before the nation on Wednesday, the president addressed the attack, saying the United States is still looking at its options in terms of a response. In the meantime, he said his administration will “immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime.” Trump also indicated that the U.S. is open to negotiations with the country.
“We must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place,” he said. “The United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.”
Making his remarks from the White House’s grand foyer, the president defended ordering the airstrike that resulted in the death of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and echoed his previous statements that Iran will “never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.”
“No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime,” he said. “Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down.”
Flanked by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Vice President Mike Pence, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Trump said his administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran will continue until the nation backs down.
The president’s remarks came hours after no American causalities were reported in the ballistic missile attack, which served as Iran’s response to the Soleimani strike. Tensions have been brewing between the two countries in recent weeks after Iran launched a series of attacks on U.S. assets in Iraq, including the death of an American defense contractor. On New Year’s Eve, angry protesters stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad after American strikes on Iran-back facilities in Iraq and Syria.
