Trump: Iran Must Stop Pursuing Nuclear Weapons, Promoting Terrorism, and Destruction

Donald Trump, in his annual address, once again called Qassem Soleimani the “head of the world’s terrorists,” saying that the Iranian government “must stop pursuing nuclear weapons and promoting terrorism,” but added “we can help them make very good progress.”

Part of the U.S. President’s annual State of the Union address concerned the U.S. military operation to kill the commander of the Quds Force and Iran more broadly.

Trump said in his address on the morning of February 5 that “Qassem Soleimani was the ruthless butcher of the Iranian regime; a devil who killed or wounded thousands of American soldiers in Iraq. As the head of the world’s terrorists, Soleimani oversaw the deaths of countless men, women, and children. He led efforts against American forces in Iraq in December and was actively planning new attacks.”

He then explained the operation that the U.S. military carried out near Baghdad airport, saying “for that reason, last month, at my direction, the U.S. military conducted a flawless strike that took Soleimani’s life and ended his reign of terror.”

Donald Trump then emphasized, “Our message to terrorists is clear: you will never escape the hand of American justice. If you attack our citizens, you forfeit your life.”

The U.S. military’s attack on Qassem Soleimani, as well as the deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Forces and their companions near Baghdad airport, led to a chain of reactions and events.

The Islamic Republic launched missile strikes on two U.S. military bases in Iraq in “retaliation,” which resulted in no deaths among American forces, although it caused minor traumatic brain injuries in dozens of them.

The Revolutionary Guard’s air defense system targeted a passenger aircraft with two missiles that day, killing 176 people, mostly Iranians and Iranian-Canadians. After three days of concealment, the Guard finally admitted the attack occurred “due to human error.” This sparked a wave of reactions, criticism, protests, and mourning in the streets of Tehran and other cities.

However, the attack on Qassem Soleimani also provoked reactions within the United States itself.

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, after the White House briefed Congress on the operation against Soleimani and his companions in Baghdad, described it as “more of a question than an answer.”

Nevertheless, Trump administration officials, including the Secretary of State, have emphasized that not taking action against Qassem Soleimani would have been “a greater risk.”

Trump: In Recent Months We Witnessed Iran’s People Protesting Their Oppressive Rulers

Donald Trump said in another part of his annual address, “In recent months we have seen the proud people of Iran rise up against their oppressive rulers. The Iranian government must abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, end the promotion of terrorism, death, and destruction, and begin working to improve the lives of its own people.”

In recent months, following a sudden spike in gasoline prices and after the three-day concealment of the Ukrainian aircraft crash, a wave of protests erupted in Iran.

The protests following the gas price increase were met with nationwide internet shutdowns and harsh responses from security forces. Although Tehran has refused to announce the death toll, media and international organizations report that more than 300 to 1,500 people have lost their lives.

The U.S. President continued, “Because of our strong sanctions, Iran’s economy is in very bad shape. We can help them make very good progress in a short time, but perhaps they are too proud or too foolish to ask for that help.”

Trump then stated, “We are here. Let’s see what path they choose. It’s entirely up to them.”

The Trump administration withdrew from the nuclear deal reached during Barack Obama’s presidency in May of last year and implemented widespread sanctions against Tehran. The other parties to the nuclear agreement have remained in it.

The Islamic Republic has described America’s withdrawal as a “violation of Washington’s international commitments,” while the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, the principal decision-maker, has also rejected direct negotiations with the United States. Ayatollah Khamenei previously said in a speech, “We neither negotiate nor go to war.”

The U.S. “State of the Union” address is a speech delivered annually by that country’s president. According to the U.S. Constitution, the president “must from time to time give the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”

In this address, which lasted more than an hour, Trump defended his administration’s actions and performance in various areas, including economic conditions, immigration policy, and other issues.

Source: Radio Farda