President Donald Trump speaks before participating in a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo) US President Donald Trump, speaking at the Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House on Monday, said Iran ignored Washington’s warning not to restart its nuclear program and added that US objectives in the conflict are “clear”, including destroying Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, ending its nuclear ambitions and destroying its navy.
US-Israel-Iran War Live: Follow Latest News Updates Here
This comes after the US president pressed ahead with military strikes against Iran, saying on Sunday that the US military intends to maintain its attack on Tehran for “four to five weeks” if necessary.
Trump describes “clear” mission against Tehran
“Iran refused to cease its pursuit of nuclear weapons,” Trump said, referring to Tehran ignoring White House warnings regarding its nuclear program.
The US president added that Iran “cannot continue arming, financing and directing terrorist armies outside its borders.” Previously, the Republican leader had said in an interview with cnn that a “big wave” in the Iran war is yet to come.
.@POTUS: “Our objectives are clear. First, we are destroying Iran’s missile capabilities… Second, we are annihilating its navy… Third, we are ensuring that the world’s number one sponsor of terrorism can never obtain a nuclear weapon… And finally, we are ensuring that… pic.twitter.com/Ib050KttSB
— Quick Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 2, 2026
Military attacks and projected timeline
Providing updates on the ongoing operation, Trump set an initial projection of four to five weeks and said the mission is “substantially ahead of schedule.” He added that the United States has the “ability to go much longer.”
The president said the strikes, which began jointly with Israel on Saturday, are aimed at ensuring that the Islamic nation “can never obtain a nuclear weapon.”
Story continues below this ad.
Why did negotiations between the United States and Iran fail?
He further added that Iran’s clerical regime was “on track to get one legitimately” under an agreement signed by former President Barack Obama.
Detailing negotiations with Iran, which stalled and led to attacks and wars in the region, Trump said: “We thought we had a deal, but then they backed out. And they came back and we thought we had a deal, and they backed out.”
Trump had previously said in an interview that “it will not be difficult” for Washington and Tel Aviv to maintain the intensity of the attack and warned that more American casualties could occur, after the US Central Command confirmed the deaths of four service members during the operation in Iran.
