‘No expert thought it would happen’: Trump reacts to Iran strikes on Qatar, Kuwait and UAE

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Monday, March 16, said that recent strikes on Gulf countries by Iran were a total surprise to him and security experts. He noted that even the "greatest experts, nobody thought they were going to hit" these nations, which had lived peacefully alongside Iran for many years.

President Trump explained that while the conflict with Iran is growing, the move to attack neutral neighbors like the UAE and Kuwait was unexpected. However, he insisted the US would not change its course, stating, "it’s not a question of like … should you have known, and if we did know, big deal. I mean, we have to do what we have to do."

Trump says no expert predicted Iran strikes

Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Trump admitted that the scale of Iran's retaliation against its neighbors was a surprise.

“Nobody, nobody, no, no. No, the greatest experts, nobody thought they were going to hit. They were, I wouldn't say friendly countries, they were like neutral, they lived with them for years,” Trump said.

He listed the countries currently facing strikes, saying, “Kuwait is getting hit, Bahrain is getting, all these countries are getting hit. There was no expert that would say that was going to happen.”

President Donald Trump speaks to the media as Vice President JD Vance and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson look on during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House on March 16, 2026 in Washington, DC (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Trump claims Iran deal exit saved Middle East

Trump argued that his decision to end the previous nuclear deal was necessary to save the region from total destruction.

He claimed that after the US dismantled Iran’s nuclear threat, the regime turned to building a massive collection of missiles instead.

“Do you know if I didn't terminate Barack Hussain Obama's Iran nuclear deal you would right now ... Well, Israel would be gone. It would be incinerated, and probably the Middle East likewise,” Trump stated.

He described the current missile strikes as the work of "sick people" who are attacking neighbors despite their long history of trade.

He noted that even the UAE, a country he called the "banker for Iran," has been targeted by these missiles.

Trump says former president praised his Iran strategy

Furthermore, while concluding his remarks, Trump mentioned that he has been in contact with former leaders about the situation.

He claimed that the "bully of the Middle East" has been a problem for 47 years and that previous presidents failed to take the tough actions he is taking now.

“I spoke to one of the former presidents, who I actually like, I actually speak to some. I do like some people, be shocking. And he said, I wish I did what you did. Couldn't have done it,” Trump told the press.

He ended by saying that while the attacks on these countries are surprising, the United States will continue to follow its current strategy because “somebody should have done” what he is doing years ago.