Trump addresses the nation: Economic sanctions on Iran

(Patria) - US President Donald Trump addressed the nation today after Iran fired ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing American soldiers. The attacks followed as retaliation for last week's US drone strike that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.

"As long as I am president, Iran will not have nuclear weapons. Not a single American was harmed in last night's attacks, and minimal damage was sustained. American forces are ready for anything. Iran seems to be backing down, and that is a good thing for us and for the world. Not a single American or Iraqi life was lost. I salute the bravery of the men and women in uniform," Trump said.

Iran has been a leading sponsor of terrorism and in pursuit of nuclear weapons, the US President continued.

"We took action to stop the terrorist Qasem Soleimani, who endangered lives. The Quds Force is responsible for the worst crimes. He trained Hezbollah for attacks on civilians, supported wars in the region, killed thousands of soldiers... He was planning attacks on American targets and was stopped. He should have been stopped long ago. We sent a message to terrorists: if you value your life, you will not attack us," Trump said.

New economic sanctions will follow for Iran, Trump announced, and they will remain in place until Iran changes its behavior. Iran unprovokedly targeted Saudi targets and American drones, the US President stated.

"Instead of being grateful for the nuclear deal, they chanted 'Death to America'. They created hell in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan... The deal expires soon and provides a quick path to nuclear weapons. It is time for Great Britain, Germany, China, Russia to realize the reality and for us to reach an agreement for a better and safer world," Trump said.

Iran can be a great country, he emphasized, but there can be no peace in the Middle East as long as Iran pursues a campaign of terror and violence.

"This will not happen anymore, we will not allow it. I will ask NATO to get involved in the process in the Middle East. The US is energy independent. We do not need oil from the Middle East. The US military has been rebuilt with 2.5 trillion dollars. Our missiles are powerful, fast, deadly, and precise. We have such powerful weapons, but we do not have to and do not want to use them. Three months ago, after destroying most of ISIL, we killed Al-Baghdadi, responsible for mass murders. He was a monster. He tried to rebuild the caliphate and failed. Tens of thousands of ISIL fighters have been killed and captured. This is good for Iran, and we should work together on common goals," Trump said.

We want you to have a future of progress and peace with the world, he told the Iranian people.

"The US is ready for peace, and may God protect America," Trump concluded.