President Trump's address to the nation on Iran: Here's what he said

Kristen Jordan Shamus
Detroit Free Press

President Donald Trump addressed the nation Wednesday morning, speaking about the U.S. conflict with Iran following Tuesday night's ballistic missile strike on two air bases in Iraq that housed U.S. and coalition forces.

Here is a transcript of what he said: 


"Good morning. I am pleased to inform you, the American people should be extremely grateful and happy. No Americans were harmed in last night's attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases.



"No American or Iraqi lives were lost because of the precautions taken, the dispersal of forces and an early warning system that worked very well. I salute the incredible skill and courage of America's men and women in uniform.

"For far too long, all the way back to 1979 to be exact, nations have tolerated Iran's destructive and destabilizing behavior in the Middle East and beyond. Those days are over.

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"Iran has been the leading sponsor of terrorism and their pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens the civilized world. We will never let that happen.

"Last week, we took decisive action to stop a ruthless terrorist from threatening American lives. At my direction, the United States military eliminated the world's top terrorist, Qasem Soleimani.

"As the head of the Quds Force, Soleimani was personally responsible for some of the absolutely worst atrocities. He trained terrorist armies, including Hezbollah, launching terrorist strikes against civilian targets. He fueled bloody civil wars all across the region. He viciously wounded and murdered thousands of U.S. troops, including the planting of roadside bombs that maim and dismember their victims.

"Soleimani directed the recent attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq that badly wounded four service members and killed one American and he orchestrated the violent assault on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. In recent days he was planning new attacks on American targets, but we stopped him. 



"These powerful sanctions will remain until Iran changes its behavior. In recent months alone, Iran has seized ships in international waters, fired an unprovoked strike on Saudi Arabia and shot down two U.S. drones.

"Iran's hostility substantially increased after the foolish Iran Nuclear Deal was signed in 2013, and they were given $150 billion, not to mention $1.8 billion in cash. 

"Instead of saying thank you to the United States, they chanted death to America. In fact, they chanted death to America the day the agreement was signed. Then Iran went on a terror spree, funded by the money from the deal, and created hell in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Iraq. 

"The missiles fired last night at us and our allies were paid for with the funds made available by the last administration.The regime also greatly tightened the reigns on their own country, even recently killing 1,500 people at the many protests that are taking place all throughout Iran.

"The very defective JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) expires shortly anyway and gives Iran a clear and quick path to nuclear breakout. 


"We must also make a deal that allows Iran to thrive and prosper and take advantage of its enormous untapped potential. Iran can be a great country. Peace and stability cannot prevail in the Middle East as long as Iran continues to foment violence, unrest, hatred and war. The civilized world must send a clear message to the Iranian regime: Your campaign of terror, murder, mayhem will not be tolerated any longer. It will not be allowed to go forward.


"Over the last three years, under my leadership, our economy is stronger than ever before and America has achieved energy independence. These historic accomplishments shades our strategic priorities. These are accomplishments that nobody thought were possible. And options in the Middle East became available. We are now the No. 1 producer of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world. We are independent and we do not need Middle East oil.

"The American military has been completely rebuilt under my administration at a cost of $2.5 trillion. U.S. armed forces are stronger than ever before. Our missiles are big, powerful, accurate, lethal and fast. Under construction are many hyper-sonic missiles.

"The fact that we have this great military and equipment does not mean, however, that we have to use it. We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent. 

"Three months ago, after destroying 100% of ISIS and its territorial caliphate, we killed the savage leader of ISIS, (Abu Bakr) al-Baghdadi, who was responsible for so much death, including the mass be-headings of Christians, Muslims, and all who stood in his way. He was a monster. Al-Baghdadi was trying again to rebuild the ISIS caliphate, and he failed. 


"Finally, to the people and leaders of Iran, we want you to have a future, and a great future, one that you deserve, one of prosperity at home and one of harmony with the nations of the world. The United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.

"I want to thank you, and God bless America."
