President Donald Trump addressed the United States Wednesday morning in a speech about the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
- The speech came in reaction to Iran’s missile strike against a military base that held U.S. troops.
- Trump said Americans should be “extremely grateful and happy” because there weren’t any casualties.
Trump on pursuing new nuclear agreement with Iran: "We must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer, and more peaceful place." https://t.co/908Di9e0Ba pic.twitter.com/WSW4q2S873
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 8, 2020
TRUMP: "Our missiles are big, powerful, accurate, lethal and fast. … The fact that we have this great military equipment, however, does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it." pic.twitter.com/hY8fVcV4Gi
— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) January 8, 2020
- Trump said Iran “appears to be standing down.”
- Trump: “Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.”
Reaction: Social media offered a number of reactions to Trump’s speech. Read them below.
"The United States is ready to pursue peace with all those who seek it." - @realDonaldTrump
— Tom Graves (@RepTomGraves) January 8, 2020
Well done, Mr. President.
The President sent a clear message to the people and leaders of Iran that peace and prosperity are theirs if they so choose. I am hopeful they see the seriousness of the President today and in recent days and choose to pursue these options.
— Rep Rick Crawford (@RepRickCrawford) January 8, 2020
Excellent address from @realDonaldTrump. The President showed a determined, forceful resolve while making it clear that America’s strongly preferred option is deescalation — not war. That’s leadership.
— Mark Meadows (@MarkMeadows) January 8, 2020
Let’s remain vigilant and get back to focusing on issues at home.
.@potus just made the same point that #IranDeal helped them develop the kind of missiles used last night & called on #JCPOA nations to pursue a new & real deal. https://t.co/IhgHnoLsqG
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 8, 2020
Trump took the off ramp he was looking for, at least temporarily, and made clear to Iran's leaders and citizens that he does not want to use military force.
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) January 8, 2020
Notably, he asked for more engagement from NATO allies in the Middle East, despite his long-simmering criticisms of NATO.
That was basically a very long winded way of saying that the United States will not retaliate against Iran and that - for now - there will be no escalation.
— Hala Gorani (@HalaGorani) January 8, 2020
The president’s words so far comport with reporting from me @jonathanvswan and others last night - potus wanted an off-ramp from an escalating conflict. Iran gave him a face-saving way with missiles that caused no casualties.
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 8, 2020
The president claims Iran is standing down. But as his speech today makes clear, so is the president. This amounts to an attempt to de-escalate.
— Jordyn Phelps (@JordynPhelps) January 8, 2020
Remarkably measured speech for a US President who often goes off script. This may actually notch things back a bit -
— Cal Perry (@CalNBC) January 8, 2020
So it's good this speech isn't announcing new escalation, but it's also analytically wrong, riddled with factual errors, and in parts just deeply strange
— Zack Beauchamp (@zackbeauchamp) January 8, 2020
In declaring not just that U.S. won't permit Iran to have nuclear weapons, but stating zero-tolerance for Tehran terrorism, @realDonaldTrump lays down a major RED LINES (plural) & appears to reassert U.S. leadership in Middle East...1/
— David M. Drucker (@DavidMDrucker) January 8, 2020
Calibrated speech. New sanctions. No reciprocal military action. Credible threat of force. Offer of diplomatic off-ramp. No questions. At the risk of grading Trump on a curve, it doesn't get much better than that.
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) January 8, 2020
This is the best speech of the Trump presidency. A clear, forceful and unambiguous outline of our strategic policy toward Iran going forward.
— Matt Brooks (@mbrooksrjc) January 8, 2020
Trump speech: cryptic, braggadocious, confusing.
— Susan Glasser (@sbg1) January 8, 2020
What is he asking NATO to do in the Middle East? Why bring up killing of Baghdadi and size of US missiles? Vows Iran won't get a nuke, does not address plan to stop it.