Trump Defends Iran Campaign and Criticizes Earlier Ceasefire

President Donald Trump defended the U.S. military campaign against Iran during an election rally in Mississippi on Monday, October 26. He argued that Iran’s missile development and nuclear ambitions had left Washington with no alternative to military action, while criticizing an earlier ceasefire. Trump described Iran as capable of producing sophisticated weapons but claimed that American forces had severely damaged its military. He asserted that Iran had developed a missile capable of reaching Europe and warned that further development could eventually put U.S. cities, including San Diego and Los Angeles, within reach. He presented those possibilities as reasons for acting against Iran. Trump said the United States had not started the war, adding, “Iran started the war with us.” He also said he had opposed the earlier ceasefire and regarded it as wasted time. He described having listened to professional advisers and tried a more conciliatory approach, but said that experience had not changed his view. The president argued that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons justified intervention even if energy prices rose. He said he had expected a much larger increase in oil prices and had been prepared to accept it. Referring to Iran’s hostility toward the United States since 1979, he accused it of killing Americans over many years.