Donald Trump spoke about the attack on Iran at a medal ceremony for US military personnel on Monday.Image: keystone
Iran’s religious leader is dead. Nevertheless, the US President says: Iran is still facing the biggest wave of attacks. Trump praised himself for ending the reign of terror in Iran after 47 years.
Mar 2, 2026, 6:59 p.mMar 2, 2026, 6:59 p.m
Donald Trump spoke about the attack on Iran at a media conference in the White House. These are the most important points:
Trump celebrates himself as a liberator
The US President boasted that he had ended Ali Khamenei’s terrorist rule. “Iran has terrorized the West and the United States for 47 years,” Trump said.
Trump defended the military strike as “necessary.” Iran was in possession of long-range missiles with which they could have hit Europe. “Soon they would have been able to attack the USA,” said Trump. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had previously contradicted this view.
The US President once again criticized the nuclear agreement and defended his withdrawal. The agreement concluded under President Barack Obama – the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – was a “terrible, dangerous document,” said Trump at his first press conference since the US attacks on Iran on Saturday.
Without its exit, Iran would have had nuclear weapons and used them “three years ago,” the president claimed. The agreement effectively gave Tehran a “legitimate path” to the bomb. The withdrawal from the agreement, as well as the current military action against Iranian facilities, was necessary to prevent Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon.
At the same time, Trump made serious accusations against the Iranians regarding the negotiations over the Iranian nuclear program. The US always thought it had reached an agreement, only to find out several times that the Iranians were backing out, Trump said at his first press conference since the start of the US attacks on Iran on Saturday. “You can’t do business with people like that.”
Trump advises Iranians to stay home
Trump had previously given a telephone interview to the TV station CNN on Monday morning US time. In it he announced further massive attacks on Iran.
“We’re beating the crap out of them,” said the US President in the conversation, which, according to the reporting reporter, lasted just seven minutes. “The biggest wave of attacks is yet to come.”
Trump pointed out that the USA is the strongest military power in the world – and is very willing to use this power. Hence the US President’s advice to the Iranian people: “We want everyone to stay at home. It’s not safe outside right now.”
Trump is ready for a longer war
The US offensive in Iran could last longer if necessary. It is true that we are “well ahead of our time projections,” said Trump. Originally they expected four to five weeks. At the same time, however, he emphasized that the military has the “ability to go much longer.” “Whatever it takes, we will do it,” said the president. He also did not categorically rule out the use of ground troops.
Trump rejected speculation that he might lose interest in the mission. “I don’t get bored,” he said. The USA had the “strongest and most powerful military in the world” and would prevail. Trump reiterated that the operation would continue with “relentless determination.” They are even ahead of schedule, he said, with a view to military objectives.
The actual reason for the media conference was the awarding of three medals of honor, the so-called Medals of Honor. It is the highest military award in the USA and is traditionally presented by the President.
The Medal of Honor recognizes conspicuous heroism and dates back to Abraham Lincoln. It can also be awarded posthumously.
(her/sda/dpa)
This map shows an overview of the attacks of the war in Iran after 48 hours
Video: Watson/Michael Shepherd