Donald Trump Iran Address: Major statements made by the US President

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US President Donald Trump addressed the nation for the first time on Wednesday after Iran carried out retaliatory strikes at US forces in Iraq. Iran struck back at the United States early on Wednesday for killing its most powerful military commander, firing a barrage of ballistic missiles at two Iraqi military bases that house American troops in what the Iranian supreme leader said was a “slap” against America's military presence in the region.

Here are the major statements US President Donald Trump made during his address on Iran:

1. "ISIS is a natural enemy of Iran. The destruction of ISIS is good for Iran and we should work together on this and other shared priorities."
2. "Nuclear deal with Iran was foolish (endeavor)"
3. "Iran used the funds provided by previous administration to attack America"
4. "Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions and support for terrorism. The time has come for UK, Germany, France, Russia, China to recognise this reality. They must now break away from the remnants of the Iran deal or JCPOA"
5. "Iran has been the leading sponsor of terror and their pursuit of nuclear weapons, threatens the civilised world. We will never let that happen."
6. "Soleimani's hands were drenched in American and Iranian blood"
7. "As the head of the Quds force, Soleimani was personally responsible for some of the worst atrocities. He trained terrorist armies, launching terror strikes against civilian targets"
8. "In recent days, he was planning new attacks on American targets but we stopped him"
9. "By removing Soleimani, we have sent a powerful message"
10. "No American lives were lost in Iran attack"
11. "Minimal damage was sustained by US in Iran Attack"
12. "As long as I am President, Iran will not be allowed to have nuclear weapons"
13. "America has achieved energy independence...We do not need the Middle East oil."
14. "The United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it."

Iran's top military commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone attack on Sunday.

Iran retaliated by launching missile strikes on bases used by US forces inside Iraq.

Iranian retaliation is another dangerous escalation that could draw the region deeper into turmoil, despite insistence by Washington and Tehran that neither side wants war. U.S. and Iraqi officials said there were no casualties among their forces.

Iran's top leadership lashes out at the US:

Earlier on Wednesday and prior to Trump's address, Iran's top leadership lashed out at the US. Their statements came within hours of Iran's missile strike on American forces in Iraq.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Al-Khamanei told the US forces to "leave the region"

"(Qasem Soleimani's) martyrdom showed the world that the revolution is alive," said Khamanei.

“What is important is that the ‘corruptive’ presence of the United States in the region must come to an end,” he said. Khamenei further said that the region does not accept US presence anymore. He was quoted by Tehran Times.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani trained his gun at the US as well.

"You have cut the hand of Soleimani but we will cut your foot from the region," said Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday. He also, was quoted by Tehran Times.