Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Trump Backs Iran War on 9/11 Anniversary, Rejects Nuclear Weapon
Donald Trump spoke at the Pentagon on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
He said the United States was winning its military fight with Iran.
Trump also said Iran would not be allowed to build a nuclear weapon.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American forces had severely damaged Iran’s military.
Iran’s president said the United States and Israel were putting heavy pressure on his country.
He said this pressure was hurting trade, energy, infrastructure, and banks.
Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, an important waterway, and oil prices have risen.
Some Americans oppose the war because it is affecting living costs and the president’s popularity.
Donald Trump defended the US military campaign against Iran during a Pentagon ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Trump called Iran the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and said it would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said US forces had killed Iranian leaders, destroyed Iran’s air force, and eliminated its defenses.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said US and Israeli military action and sanctions had placed Iran under critical political and economic pressure.
Iran’s reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted trade and contributed to higher global crude prices, while opposition to the war has grown in parts of the United States.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and the governments of the United States and Iran.
- What
- The US administration defended its military campaign against Iran and its effort to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while Iran condemned the pressure and military action.
- When
- Friday, on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- Trump and Hegseth spoke at the Pentagon; Pezeshkian spoke on the margins of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- The US says Iran’s nuclear program and support for terrorism require military and economic pressure; Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and that US and Israeli actions are politically and militarily harmful.
US Administration
Iran and Critics
Military campaign
US Administration
Trump and Hegseth said the United States is winning and has inflicted major damage on Iran’s military and defenses.
Iran and Critics
Pezeshkian described the campaign as US and Israeli military aggression and said it had placed Iran under intense pressure.
Nuclear program
US Administration
The Trump administration says Iran must end its nuclear program and will not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Iran and Critics
Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons, says its program is peaceful, and called the international resolution politically pressured.
Progress and consequences
US Administration
Hegseth said the United States controls the Strait and will finish the fight, while Trump said economic pressure is tightening.
Iran and Critics
The article says the US has not fully achieved all of its initial campaign goals, while the conflict and pressure have caused wider economic concerns and growing opposition in parts of the United States.
- US position
- Trump said Iran will never be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon.
- Iran’s position
- Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and says its nuclear program is peaceful.
- Pentagon losses commemorated
- 184 people were lost at the Pentagon and aboard American Airlines Flight 77 during the 9/11 attacks.
- US military claims
- Hegseth said US forces killed Iranian leaders, destroyed Iran’s air force, and eliminated its defenses.
- International action
- The International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors referred Iran to the United Nations Security Council over alleged nuclear non-compliance.
- Strait of Hormuz
- Iran has blocked the strategic waterway, contributing to higher global crude prices.
- Domestic US reaction
- The war has become increasingly unpopular among sections of the American public, amid concerns about living costs and declining approval ratings.