WASHINGTON, United States: President Donald Trump defended the war against Iran Wednesday at a US Veterans Day commemoration that saw his defense secretary publicly admonished for a lack of decorum.
“The bravery and skill of our amazing American warriors has absolutely been incredible,” Trump said in an address at Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington.
“When this conflict is over, and it will be soon, the entire world will be a much safer and better place, more peaceful place, and a place without the kind of danger that we had to suffer.”
The war, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes against Iran, has so far cost the lives of 23 US service members and wounded several hundred more, according to the latest Pentagon figures.
Trump said in his remarks that the conflict was started not by Washington but by Tehran, which “has been waging war on America since 1979.” He stressed that US forces were acting in order to halt Iran’s capacity to build a nuclear weapon.
Trump, 80, attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a sacred symbol for America’s lost service members.
During his speech before troops, veterans and top officials in his administration, Trump namechecked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was in attendance, saying he had “done a…
