Trump defends Iran war in Veterans Day address

Detailed summary

The unpopular conflict helped trigger a Democratic takeover of Congress in Nov 3 midterm elections. Read more at straitstimes.com.

US President Donald Trump (left) and Vice-President J.D. Vance saluting during the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia., on Nov 11.

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump used a US Veterans Day commemoration on Nov 11 to defend the war against Iran – an increasingly unpopular conflict that helped trigger a Democratic takeover of Congress in last week’s midterm elections.

“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 Feb 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.

During his speech before troops, veterans and top officials in his administration, Trump namechecked Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was in attendance, saying he had “done a fantastic job.”

Republicans in the US House of Representatives on Nov 10 blocked an effort – launched by an outgoing Republican lawmaker – to impeach Hegseth for allegedly waging war without congressional authorisation and abusing his powers as Pentagon chief.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The Straits Times. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.