He Criticizes Allies and NATO for Failing to Join the Offensive Against Tehran
U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on Monday the ultimatum—which expires on Tuesday—demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the entire country “could be razed in a single night,” a night that could very well be tomorrow’s.
“The entire country could be razed in a single night, and that night could be tomorrow,” Trump stated during a press conference in Washington. “We have a plan backed by the power of our armed forces. By the stroke of midnight—24:00 hours—every bridge in Iran will be destroyed. Every nuclear facility will be rendered inoperative, engulfed in flames, rocked by explosions, and never usable again,” he added.
The occupant of the White House highlighted that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is “a major priority.” When asked whether he would accept Iran levying a toll on passing vessels, he pushed back, suggesting instead that it should be the United States collecting the fee. “I’d rather do it myself than let them do it,” he indicated, “because we won.”
During the press conference, Trump was questioned regarding the possibility that such bombing campaigns could be deemed war crimes; he responded that the Iranians themselves “are willing to suffer for their freedom.” “The Iranians say—and we have many intercepted messages to prove it—’Please, keep bombing,’ even as the bombs fall right next to their homes… All I can tell you is that they want freedom,” he asserted.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also participated in the press conference, reiterating the threats of widespread bombing should the ultimatum’s deadline pass without an agreement being reached. “Iran has a choice to make. Choose wisely, because this president isn’t playing games. You can ask (Qasem) Soleimani, (Nicolás) Maduro, or Khomeini,” he argued—referring to the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ruhollah Khomeini, when he presumably intended to name Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who died on the first day of the U.S. bombing campaign against Iran, February 28.
Hegseth further highlighted that they are increasing the number of strikes on Iranian soil. “Today we saw the highest volume of strikes since day one of this operation. Tomorrow there will be even more,” he explained.
CRITICISM OF ALLIES
Trump used the press conference to once again lash out at allies—such as Japan, South Korea, and NATO member states—for failing to assist in the bombing campaign.
“When we needed them… Well, we didn’t really need them anyway. They haven’t helped at all; quite the opposite. They’ve just stayed out of the way so they wouldn’t have to help. They won’t even let us use their runways,” he asserted. In Trump’s view, “it all started with Greenland.” “We want Greenland. They won’t give it to us,” he argued.
Outside of the Atlantic Alliance, he mentioned countries such as Australia, Japan, and South Korea, noting the 50,000 troops deployed in Japan and the 45,000 in South Korea “to defend them from North Korea.” “If a certain president—whom I won’t name—had done his job, Kim Jong Un wouldn’t have nuclear weapons right now,” he argued.
Conversely, he singled out the “excellent” response from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait—though he did point out that the Kuwaitis “have shot down three of our planes” and questioned how they handle their “beautiful” American Patriot missiles.
